International Epilepsy Day: How to Explain Seizures to Your Children

Today, February 9, 2026, marks International Epilepsy Day, a day when the world comes together to understand epilepsy better and support the 50 million people living with it globally. It’s observed every year on the second Monday of February. This year's theme is #EpilepsyPledge, moving beyond just awareness to taking real action.

So, today we are going to discuss how to talk to our kids about seizures. Whether your child has epilepsy, has a classmate or family member who experiences seizures, or you simply want them to be more understanding and less scared, having this conversation matters.

Understanding International Epilepsy Day and Why It Matters

International Epilepsy Day, organized by the International Bureau for Epilepsy (IBE) and the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE), isn't just another awareness day. It's a reminder that in India alone, over 10 million people live with epilepsy; that's more than 1% of our population. And our kids notice when someone has a seizure, and if they don't understand what's happening, they can get scared or even say hurtful things without meaning to.

The 2026 #EpilepsyPledge theme encourages everyone, including families, to take one concrete step this year toward better understanding and inclusion. Talking to your children about seizures? That's a pledge worth making.

What Parents Need to Know: Types of Seizures

Before you talk to your kids, let's get clear on what seizures are. Think of the brain as sending electrical signals all the time, like messages that tell our body what to do. Sometimes, these signals get mixed up or fire too quickly all at once, and that's a seizure.

There are two main types:

Focal seizures start on one side of the brain. A child might seem confused, stare blankly, pick at their clothes, or have movements on one side of their body. They might remember it happening or might not.
Generalized seizures affect both sides of the brain. The most recognizable kind is the tonic-clonic seizure (what used to be called "grand mal"), where someone might fall, their muscles stiffen, and they have rhythmic jerking movements. There are also absence seizures, quick lapses where a child might just stare into space for a few seconds, almost like they've zoned out.

Age-Appropriate Ways to Explain Seizures to Children

Here's what works in real life:

Use comparisons they get: "You know how sometimes the lights flicker when there's a storm? A seizure is kind of like that happening in the brain. The brain's signals get jumbled for a little bit, then go back to normal."
Keep it age-appropriate: With younger kids (ages 4-7), simple is better: "Sometimes people's brains send mixed-up messages to their body, and it makes their body do things they can't control for a little while. Then it stops, and they're okay." For older kids (8-12), you can explain the electrical activity in the brain and different types of seizures more clearly.
Address the fear directly: Kids worry about whether seizures hurt or if their friend might die. Be honest: "Most seizures stop on their own in a few minutes. The person usually doesn't feel pain during it, though they might feel tired or confused after. It looks scary, but knowing what to do helps."

If your child has epilepsy, let them be part of the conversation. Ask what they want friends to know. Help them practice what to say: "I have epilepsy, which means I sometimes have seizures. If it happens, I'll be okay."

Practical Seizure Safety: What Kids Should Actually Do

This is where kids need concrete steps, not theories:

Stay calm and stay with them. Your child should know they don't need to fix anything; just be there.
Time it. If possible, check the clock. If a seizure lasts more than 5 minutes, an adult needs to call for help.
Keep them safe. Move hard or sharp objects away. If they're standing, help them sit down gently.
Don't put anything in their mouth. This is an old myth that needs to die. It doesn't help and can hurt.
Turn them on their side (if it's a tonic-clonic seizure) so they can breathe easier.
Get an adult immediately. Even if they know what to do, kids should always get grown-up help.

Practice this with your child. Role-play it if you need to, as kids remember what they've practiced way better than what they've just heard.

Teaching Children Empathy and Inclusion

It is very important to teach kids that differences don't make someone less worthy of friendship and respect.

Talk about how epilepsy doesn't change who a person is. They're still the same kid who loves soccer, draw amazing pictures, or tell terrible jokes. The seizures are just one part of their life, like someone else might have asthma or wear glasses.

Teach your child to stand up against teasing. If they hear someone making fun of a classmate with epilepsy, give them the words: "That's not cool. Seizures are a medical thing. It's not something to joke about."

The Bigger Picture: Breaking Stigma Starts at Home

About one-third of people with epilepsy don't respond fully to medication. There's still stigma, especially in our country, where cultural misunderstandings about epilepsy persist. According to the information from IBE and ILAE, people with epilepsy still face discrimination in employment, marriage, and daily life in many places.

That's exactly why raising our kids to understand and accept makes such a difference. They're the generation who can change this.

Taking Your #EpilepsyPledge as a Family

This International Epilepsy Day, make your pledge simple: have this conversation with your child. Make it comfortable, not scary. Answer their questions honestly. And remind them that showing kindness when someone is different or going through something hard is what being a good human looks like.

Whether your child has epilepsy, knows someone who does, or might meet someone someday who experiences seizures, this conversation equips them. It removes fear, builds empathy, and creates a generation that sees people, not conditions.