Soothing war fears in young

By ALAN PERROTT

An information pack has been created to help parents and teachers talk to children about the war in Iraq.

Several Christchurch health agencies have been involved in the project, which will be available on the Mental Health Foundation's website.

Tips on how to help children understand what is happening include:

* Maintain your regular mealtimes, activities and bedtimes.

* Listen to what children have to say and provide plenty of reassurance or explanations of how people in New Zealand are being protected.

* Watch the news together. War-related viewing should be limited to 15 minutes a day for under-5s and 30 minutes for 5 to 12s.

Mental Health Foundation