We are living in times of uncertainty, and that uncertainty in the world can lead to anxiety. Anxiety happens to all of us but what do we do when it happens to our children. How do you help an anxious child? In this post we aim to bring you a few tips that can help you and your kids during times of anxiety and stress.
Bring your kids a sense of calm
This is the most obvious suggestion, but what does this really entail? Think about it. How often do our kids get tense, and we get tense. Or they shout and we shout. It can be easy to mirror sentiments in a negative aspect, but we also need to set the example and do it in reverse.
Our kids follow our lead much more than we think, so making a conscious effort to keep things as calm as possible for them is a big deal. The physical symptoms of anxiety can be very distressing for children, so giving them a reassuring hug can help them feel safe while those feelings pass.
Work on grounding techniques
Grounding is a mindfulness technique that can teach your child to focus on the moment and take their mind off the negative feelings they are feeling. Breathing exercises are very helpful, but depending on the age of your child it may not be that simple to achieve a state of deep, slow breaths. One recommendation is to blow bubbles. This way your kids can take slow deep breaths and do so in a way that works for them.
Aonther technique is the 5,4,3,2,1 technique. Have your child tell you:
- 5 things they see,
- 4 things they hear,
- 3 things they feel,
- 2 things they smell,
- 1 thing they taste.
This allows them to focus on their senses and helps them be more in the moment.
Face the fear
This isn’t easy, but it can be worth to have your child face the fear. If their anxiety is triggered by school, for example, have your child tell you exactly what their worst case scenario is. It can be anxiety during a project, or stammering during a speech. Whatever it may be you can talk it out with them and have them tell you what it is they fear as the worst case scenario. Once they open up about that it is easy to work and find solutions as to how to face that worst case scenario.
Facing this can break down the fear of the problem and make it more manageable.
We hope that these tips have helped you find a way to help your child cope with anxiety, whatever the cause may be. Of course, if you feel it is a more severe or serious case then get medical advice.
We have many resources to teach you how to help an anxious child. Check out some of these posts below;
Anxiety in kids
Ideas from KiddyCharts to help with kids expressing themselves, and focusing on improving mental health.
How to help your kids recognise their emotions: Free printable #31DaysOfLearning
Amazing free printable to help kids to recognise their own emotions.
Top tips for helping with kids mental health #31DaysOfLearning
Some exercises to do with your children to help them to improve their anxiety and overall wellbeing.
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Helen
Helen
Helen is a mum to two, social media consultant, and website editor; and this site is (we think) the only Social Enterprise parenting magazine!Since giving up being a business analyst when juggling travel, work and kids proved too complicated, she founded KiddyCharts so she could be with her kids, and use those grey cells at the same time.KiddyCharts has reach of over 1.1million across social and the site. The blog works with big family brands (including travel) to help promote their services, as well as offering free resources to parents of kids under 10.It gives 51%+ profits to Reverence for Life, who fund a number of important initiatives in Africa, including bringing running water and basic equipment to a school in Tanzania.Helen has worked as a digital marketing consultant (IDM qualified) with various organisations, including Channel Mum, Truprint, Talk to Mums, and Micro Scooters. She loves to be creative in the brand campaigns she works on.Get in touch TODAY!