1 min read
When supporting a child or young person, start with curiosity. Try to explore what might be going on beneath the surface, rather than assuming you already know the cause. As adults, it is natural to reach conclusions quickly, but a child’s experience may be very different from what we expect. Staying open-minded allows space for underlying worries, unmet needs or hidden pressures to emerge.
Image: Ketut Subiyanto
Children are far more likely to open up when they feel emotionally safe. A calm, non-confrontational tone helps prevent them from feeling blamed or judged. Try to frame the difficulty as something they are experiencing, rather than something they are. When young people sense that they will be met with understanding rather than criticism, they are more willing to seek and accept support.
Image: Ketut Subiyanto
