Best ways to console your child in an injury or conflict

Many families resort to consolation rituals, such as blowing or kissing away the pain, sticking on colourful plasters and so on, to help children deal with an injury. Photo: dpa/Karl-Josef Hildenbrand

What's the best way to console a child when they fall or smash their finger in the door? Is it enough to blow on the affected area or might you need to resort to an ice cream, too?

Either, says Dana Mundt, of the German Conference For Child Guidance.