Psychological and pedagogical support for parents of young children in overcoming stress and anxiety

Abstract

The article examines the features of psychological and pedagogical support for parents of young children in overcoming stress and anxiety in emergency situations, particularly during military actions in Ukraine. The authors emphasize the critical impact of social instability, forced displacement, family separation, and psychological stress on the emotional state of adults, which directly affects their interaction with children and the formation of the child’s basic sense of security. The article identifies key psychological factors that increase parental anxiety, including emotional exhaustion, high levels of responsibility for the child, lack of social support, past traumatic experiences, and uncertainty in parental competencies. Modern approaches to psychological and pedagogical support are analyzed, with a focus on parental counseling with elements of psychological education, emotionally supportive communication, and educational activities. Particular attention is paid to practical methods for stabilizing the parents’ psycho-emotional state and developing competent behavioral patterns in interaction with young children. Examples are provided of individual consultations, short supportive sessions, and parent training programs, including the «Stress-Free Parenting» program, which aims to develop positive parenting skills, emotional self-regulation, and adaptive responses to stressful situations. The article reviews both domestic and international research (J. Bowlby, M. Ainsworth, A. Schore), highlighting the influence of parental anxiety on children’s emotional development and stress-response systems. The importance of early intervention and psycho-pedagogical parental education is emphasized for increasing family psychological resilience and ensuring harmonious development of children in crisis conditions. The study demonstrates that systematic psychological and pedagogical support for parents of young children reduces stress and anxiety in adults, creates an emotionally resourceful family environment, and provides conditions for the stable psycho-emotional development of children. Practical implementation of the developed methods and programs can serve as an effective tool for supporting families in emergency situations and enhancing the psychological resilience of the population.

Key words: children of early age; family; psychologicaland pedagogical support; emergency situations; military actions; psychological resilience; crisis situations.