Supporting Young People Through the Conflict in the Middle East

Resources to help explain what is happening and support young people’s understanding

These symbol-supported resources have been created to help young people make sense of the changes linked to events in the Middle East, from when things first started to feel different through to the return to in-person learning.

The Things Are Feeling Different social story introduces these changes in a clear and reassuring way. It helps children understand why things may feel unfamiliar, explains language they might hear, and reassures them that adults are there to keep them safe, while supporting them to recognise and express their feelings.

More recently, following government announcements about returning to in-person learning, additional resources have been developed to support children through this next stage. The Going Back to School resource helps children prepare for returning to school, rebuild routines, and feel more confident about what their day might look like. The Sheltering in Place resource then explains what sheltering means in a school context, helping children understand what to do when alarms sound, how to follow instructions, and how to stay calm and safe.

Available as ready-to-use PDFs or as customisable Widgit Online files. Special thanks to Edsidera, London Primary Teacher, Louise Dawson and Jeannette Jones from Dove Green Private School for their support in developing these resources.

---

Download