Children's Stamps and the KPN Mooiste Contact Fund break the silence surrounding loneliness among children
In the Netherlands, 1 in 10 children feels lonely. These feelings of loneliness often go unnoticed by parents. Children want to talk about it, but without the right questions, it remains quiet. That's why Kinderpostzegels and the KPN Mooiste Contact Fonds are launching the "Ask it Differently" campaign. The campaign—consisting of an informative campaign page, online videos, and a weekly conversation starter —encourages open conversations about loneliness between parents/caregivers and children, and offers parents and caregivers tools and tips for talking openly about feelings of loneliness. With "Ask it Differently," Kinderpostzegels and the KPN Mooiste Contact Fonds are raising awareness about loneliness among children and aiming to normalize the conversation about it. Parents can register online to receive a weekly conversation starter: a simple, thought-provoking question that helps them truly connect with their child.
Although loneliness is unfortunately common in children, many parents fail to recognize signs of loneliness in their children. They often expect the question "How was school?" to automatically lead to a conversation, but that usually remains a short answer like "fun" or "boring." A recent Kinderpostzegels survey of 65,000 children also shows that a staggering 18% indicate that their parents or caregivers never ask how they are doing, even though they need to. Many children find it difficult, and sometimes even frightening, to talk about their feelings of loneliness. That's why Kinderpostzegels wants to remind parents that it's not children, but them, who are responsible for initiating this conversation.
Kinderpostzegels supports children who feel lonely, while the KPN Mooiste Contact Fonds encourages social contact for those who don't find it easy. With "Ask it Differently," Kinderpostzegels and the KPN Mooiste Contact Fonds are joining forces to support children who feel lonely and don't receive enough support at home. The campaign aims to raise awareness among parents and caregivers about loneliness in children and help them recognize the signs. It demonstrates that asking the right questions is essential for understanding a child's true feelings. Parents and caregivers also receive practical tips for engaging in open conversations and normalizing the topic of loneliness.
Help and inspiration for parents and caregivers
On the campaign website, parents and caregivers can find more background information about loneliness in children, how to recognize the signs, and when their feelings of loneliness are worrisome. The page also offers practical tools to naturally open conversations with children. Parents and caregivers can also sign up for weekly conversation starters with concrete sample questions, such as: "What was the most fun thing you did today?" and "Who in the class do you enjoy working with?"
The "Ask Differently" campaign has launched with an informative campaign page, online videos, and a weekly conversation starter that parents and caregivers can sign up for.