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.