Your children startled by loud sounds? UAE experts explain why, how parents can help

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The current situation involving the UAE, accompanied by the sounds of countering missiles and phone alarms, has left many families navigating a wave of anxiety.

As regional tensions bring unfamiliar sounds of aerial interceptions, children are proving particularly vulnerable.

For many parents, the challenge lies not only in managing their own stress but also in finding the right words and actions to comfort their children.

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According to Nashwa Tantawy, a psychologist and managing director of Nafsology Psychology Center, the reaction to these loud sounds is deeply rooted in human biology.

She explained that even adults, despite having a rational understanding of unfolding events, are not immune to stress responses.

“These sounds immediately activate the brain’s survival system, pushing the body into a fight-or-flight mode,” Tantawy said, noting that this reaction is instinctive and not governed by logic.

Children, she added, are especially sensitive to such triggers. Whether through loud noises, overheard conversations, or constant exposure to news and social media, young people absorb and react to their surroundings in ways that can manifest as fear, confusion, or distress.

“Kids don’t just listen to words; they read body language, facial expressions, and emotional cues from adults,” she explained.

How parents are coping

Across the UAE, mothers are employing various strategies to help their children feel secure.

Kholoud Abdulghani, a mother of four children ranging in age from 16 months to 14 years, has tailored her approach to each child’s age. For her 14-year-old son, Aws, who tries to hide his fear, she assigns practical responsibilities, such as checking the windows or helping prepare an emergency bag. “I avoid talking directly about fear as it might bother him; practical actions are more suitable,” she said.

For her 11-year-old daughter, Shahad, logical explanations are important, but during the actual sounds, long talks don’t work. Instead, they have a “code” or signal, like sitting close and resting her head on her mother’s shoulder. Her 8-year-old, Hala, is the most affected by sudden noises. “The best thing is a fixed routine: when we hear the sound, we go to a specific room, distract her with something she loves, and hug her tightly,” Abdulghani shared.

Even her youngest, 16-month-old Rayan, who cannot understand explanations, absorbs the tension. “The most important thing is to control my facial expressions and tone of voice, hold him tightly, and play calm music or children’s songs to associate the sound with something familiar,” she added.

Abdulghani noted that physical closeness, gathering all the children in one small room and providing continuous hugs, creates a “tent of safety". She also uses alternative sounds, such as the TV or the Quran, to drown out external noises and practices shared breathing exercises with her older children to give them a sense of control.

Other mothers echo the importance of parental calmness. Aisha Al Darmaki, a mother of two children aged 8 and 11, emphasised the power of a steady presence.

“Thank God, we instilled in their hearts that the UAE is protected thanks to our honourable Sheikhs. Our calmness in front of them and showing that our lives haven’t changed has planted reassurance in their hearts,” she said. “We don’t magnify the situation," she added.

Mahra Mohammed, a mother of five, took a direct approach. “From the beginning of the events, I sat my children down and spoke to them frankly, explaining the situation with their father’s help,” she said. They established rules, such as not going outside when they hear sounds and avoiding open areas. “Sometimes they get scared, but the first thing they look at is my reaction. If I’m not scared, they treat it as normal and sit in a safe place.”

However, for some younger children, the fear persists. Rawda Musabah, a mother of four, noted that while her eldest daughter understands the situation, her 6-year-old son struggles with it.

“He didn’t grasp it at first, but the fear started later. Even though I try to explain and show him videos, the fear still controls him, and whenever he hears any sound, he gets scared,” she shared.

Experts say these reactions are not unusual, particularly among younger children. 

According to Zobia Amin, clinical psychologist at RAK Hospital, children between the ages of 6 and 12 may respond to stressful or unfamiliar situations in noticeably different ways, often asking frequent questions, becoming more sensitive to loud sounds, or worrying about potential dangers.

Amin explained that at this developmental stage, children are more aware of their surroundings but may still struggle to fully process complex events, making parental reassurance essential.

She advised parents to offer clear, simple, and honest explanations tailored to the child’s level of understanding, helping them feel informed without becoming overwhelmed.

“Allow children space to express their thoughts and concerns without dismissing their feelings,” Amin said. “Activities such as play, drawing, or storytelling can help children process their emotions in a healthy way.”

She highlights the importance of open communication and emotional support in helping children navigate uncertainty and build resilience.

A three-step approach for families

Tantawy emphasised that parents play a critical role in shaping how children process such situations. “Parents must first manage their own emotional responses in order to support their children effectively,” she said.

The psychologist outlined a three-step approach for families:

1. Recognise changes: The first step involves recognising physical and behavioural changes in children, such as anxiety symptoms or aggression.

2. Maintain open conversations: The second focuses on maintaining open, ongoing conversations, encouraging children to express what they know and how they feel while validating their emotions rather than dismissing them.

“One of the biggest mistakes is telling children that everything is fine without listening to their fears,” she warned. “This can make them feel unheard and discourage them from sharing their emotions.”

3. Adopt a balanced perspective: The third step is helping children adopt a more balanced and realistic perspective, steering them away from catastrophic thinking by focusing on the present and what can be controlled.

To help regulate emotions, Tantawy recommended practical coping strategies, including breathing exercises, physical activities such as walking or cycling, and creative outlets like drawing, journaling, or storytelling.

Limiting exposure to distressing media coverage and avoiding discussions of sensitive topics in front of children are also key.

While recovery time varies, Tantawy said it largely depends on the child’s resilience, the level of ongoing exposure, and caregivers’ responses.

“As long as the situation continues, the sense of stress may persist,” she said, adding that reducing indirect exposure, particularly through news and social media, can significantly aid recovery.

She concluded that maintaining routines, fostering a sense of safety, and modelling calm behaviour can help children return to normal more quickly once the situation stabilises.