How do I explain scars when a young child asks about them?

kids are really curious, and i think it's important to explain difficult things to them in a compassionate way, without scaring or concerning them. this is what happened when a kid (around age 8) asked me a similar question: they asked me what the lines on my wrist were, and i told them they were scars. they asked me how they got there, and i told them that they were from a time when i wasn't very nice to myself. they asked me why i wasn't nice to myself, and i explained that, like how bullies in school aren't nice to other kids, i was a bully to myself because i didn't like myself. the kid was quiet, and then asked me if i like myself now. i said that sometimes i don't, but that i like myself more and more as time goes on. i then go on to tell the kid that if they're mad at themselves, to go do something they like or talk to someone they love so that they don't keep all of those feelings stuck inside with nowhere else to go, because that's showing that you love yourself. the kid said okay, and that they'd promise to do that, and their curiosity was quenched. hope this helps!)

Children are usually creative so telling them straight forward is not the best idea. Try something like "well you see, i was a soldier once and i got through a really big battle and here are my battle scars". The metaphor for this is you, as a soldier in a war/battle (with yourself or the world around who brought you in the state of self harm) and the battle scars which are showing that you were at a bad time in your life but you got through it and now you're healing. I find this method very effective. Kids usually don't ask any more questions after you tell them that. I hope this helps

I was badly hurt there and there but as you can see I healed, but it will just allways be visible, so nothing to fear. Isn't it great that we heal?

Personally, with children at such a young age as elementary school, I would not explain the scars to them. At least, I wouldn't say that the scars were self-inflicted because at the age, as you said, they could be disturbed by it or it could influence them in certain ways. Children can be very suggestible about things. I simply don't think that age group can comprehend what mental illness is about and they wouldn't be able to understand why someone would hurt themselves. At least in my opinion.

Scars are tattoos with a story behind them. Never be afraid of them, they aren't ugly. Don't make fun of anyone if they have any on their face or body. They symbolize bravery. We've all got them : for some they're visible on their body while for others they are invisible to others but yet, emotionally exist and can be felt by the person himself,

Sometimes its better to keep the real reason secret infront of children,they are innocent,their world is beautiful,no one has the right to destroy it with dark thoughs,so just tell them that you have had an accident

Tell them that they're from a battle you won. That is really what they are and it's good to get kids in that mindset. Be proud.

i think when a child asks questions like this, its is a huge opotunity for them to learn. i am not saying they should be told everything because obviously they are just children. although we live in a world where children are silenced when asked about disablity because we get embarressed by there questions though we shouldn't we should take the opotunity to educate them in the world around them. self harm should be no different it affects many people struggling with mental health. If a chlid were to ask me about my scars, i would simply respond, "i was upset and i hurt myself but now i dont do that i talk to people instead, what would you do if you were sad?" this gives the child an honest answer but also gives them a chance to respond it also makes sure you know that they understand what they should do if they are ever sad

When trying to explain my scars to young children I always say that when I was younger I had a very hard time and I was hurting on the inside so much that I began to hurt on the outside.

I wouldn't explain exactly what it is because it is a young child but if it were me, I would say that I got scratched by a cat or I fell..I used to be a cutter myself...and I have all kinds of scars on my body to prove it...and I couldn't traumatize a child like that..They don't understand how cruel the world can be yet...So I would just make up a silly explaination.