When people talk about psychological support for children, it can often sound complicated, long, and difficult to understand.

But in reality, it starts with simple things — a safe space and a well-structured process.

This is exactly how the “Children and War: Teaching Recovery Techniques” program works.

These are not lectures or “talks about the right emotions.”
This is hands-on, practical work where children gradually learn to understand themselves and cope with what they are going through.

The sessions take place in groups — and this is very important.
Children see that they are not alone, that others feel similar things. This alone already reduces tension.

During the sessions, children don’t just talk — they draw, do exercises, work with their bodies, learn to calm themselves through breathing, and practice techniques for working through fear.

Through these simple activities, important changes begin to happen:
children start to better understand their emotions, feel less afraid of them, and gradually learn how to manage them.

It is also very important that no one forces a child to open up right away.
Each child moves at their own pace — and this is what builds trust.

Over time, children begin to talk about things that were previously too difficult or impossible to express.
At the same time, they gain practical tools they can use in everyday life — not only during the sessions.

That is why this program works.
Not because “we talked,” but because children gain a real experience of safety, support, and practical skills that stay with them.

We continue this work because we see how valuable it is.

In February–March 2026, a series of group sessions for children took place in Poltava as part of the “Helping Hand for Ukraine” project. The program “Children and War: Teaching Recovery Techniques” was delivered by facilitators Liubov But and Alina Zenchenko at Primary School #41.

A total of 26 children aged 8–9 participated in the program. They worked in two groups, gradually getting to know each other and becoming familiar with the format of the sessions.

The meetings were designed to help children not only talk, but also better understand their own emotional state and learn how to support themselves. Through simple exercises — breathing, body-based practices, and imagination — they developed skills for calming themselves and reducing tension. Special attention was given to working with fears, including techniques such as the “safe place” and the “fear ladder,” which help children gradually process difficult experiences.

Not all children engaged at the same pace: some needed more time to adjust and feel safe. However, over time, the groups began to change — with more trust, openness, and active participation emerging.

By the end of the program, positive changes were noticeable in most children: they found it easier to cope with anxiety, showed fewer signs of fear, and became more willing to talk about their experiences. Some participants also began using the learned techniques in their daily lives, both at school and at home.

This experience once again highlights the importance of creating safe spaces for children and providing them with simple, practical tools to cope with anxiety and emotional distress in everyday life.

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As part of the “Helping Hand for Ukraine” project, our team continues to deliver psychological support sessions for children under the program “Children and War: Teaching Recovery Techniques.”

From December 2025 to March 2026, a series of group sessions was held at School #159 in Kyiv for children who have experienced war-related trauma.

The sessions were led by trained facilitators Olena and Volodymyr Loboda. Each group attended seven meetings, during which children learned to understand their emotions, cope with fear and anxiety, and gradually restore a sense of safety.

The participants were children aged 10–12. Most had witnessed war-related events, and some were internally displaced.

Based on pre- and post-program assessments, most children showed a positive dynamic in their emotional well-being. In particular:

• a decrease in intrusive memories;
• reduced avoidance of traumatic topics;
• increased emotional openness and awareness of their own feelings.

The most powerful outcomes are reflected in the children’s personal stories.

One participant, who had witnessed shelling, had long hidden his emotions behind humor. With the support of the group, he was able to openly speak about his fear for the first time. After that, he became calmer, more attentive, and more engaged in the sessions.

According to the facilitators, many children were cautious or even reluctant to participate at first. However, over time, the group became a safe space where they could be themselves.

Children began to look forward to the sessions, stayed afterward to spend more time together, and supported one another. After the program ended, many asked when the next meetings would take place.

This experience once again confirms that group-based psychological support for children affected by war is highly effective. It not only helps reduce anxiety but also builds trust, support, and inner resources for future life.

We continue this work to ensure that as many children in Ukraine as possible receive the psychological support they need.