Children Use Improvised Play as a “Lifeline” to Cope with Global Crises, NPR Reports

Children Use Improvised Play as a “Lifeline” to Cope with Global Crises, NPR Reports
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Children living through war and displacement are turning to play—often with makeshift materials—as a vital psychological tool to manage stress and trauma, an article by NPR revealed. In refugee camps, children fashion jump ropes from chains of rubber bands, while in Gaza, youngsters fly kites made from discarded aid parachutes.

Child psychologists confirm that play is not merely a pastime but a form of resiliency. It allows children to express complex emotions, regain a sense of normalcy, and process their harsh realities. For instance, some Ukrainian children mimic the ongoing conflict by playing war games, imitating soldiers—a way to gain a sense of control over their environment.

Aid organizations like BRAC, which sets up play labs in places like the Rohingya camps in Bangladesh, have seen play transform children who were initially silent and withdrawn. When play is rooted in their culture, such as the Rohingya call-and-response game Kabbiya, it also provides a crucial sense of belongingness and community amid chaos.