Did you know that anxiety is the number one growing mental health concern among children? Children are often aware of scary events in the world around them, as well as stress and worry experienced by others. They also may experience worry or anxiety related to things that do not seem scary for us as adults. Many children experience separation anxiety, which is also a normal part of child development, but can make dropping children off at the bus stop or at school very worrisome for them! It is important to be sensitive, acknowledge your child's worries, and listen to their concerns, but also to model calm and assure them that they are capable. Some worry is a normal part of development, but worry can also begin to interfere with a child's daily activities. Here are some tips and strategies for you to consider:
- Some worry is normal, but when worry seems to interfere with daily activities, like eating, sleeping, and play, intervention may be needed. In addition, if your child is beginning to experience headaches or stomach aches that do not have a medical cause, treatment may be needed. - Anxiety is very common, but it is also very treatable! Do not hesitate to seek help when your child is experiencing too much anxiety. It is better to seek treatment when children are young, as ongoing anxiety-related problems can lead to additional problems in adolescence and adulthood. - Try to be calm and use calming strategies in front of your child. Model strategies by saying, "I'm feeling stress. I better take some deep breaths/turn on a favorite song/go for a walk/read a book/rest on the couch for a few minutes. That will help me to feel better!" - Stress and worry are part of parents' lives too, and children can notice this and experience stress themselves. Take care of yourself, seek support for yourself, ask for help from a spouse, friend, or neighbor so that your own stressors do not begin to impact your parenting and your child. Modeling your own fears, such as avoiding stressful situations or screaming at the sight of a bug, can influence your child's responses as well. - When a child's worries are becoming too much for them to handle, seek the assistance of a teacher, school counselor, school psychologist (that's me!), doctor, or other professional. Educators often have books, lessons, or rituals used at school that can help in the home setting as well. Psychologists can help by providing play-based or cognitive-behavioral therapy that can help a child develop healthy processes and avoid negative thought patterns. - Be present with your child. Frequent, meaningful connection between parent and child can often alleviate stress and assure children that they are safe and loved. The simplest thing you can do to strengthen your relationship with your child and boost social-emotional development is to play! Get down on the floor, turn off phones and other distractions, forget the chores for a little while, and play together! - When a child experiences a stressful or worrisome event, acknowledge their feelings, assure them that many others feel the same way, and give them confidence by saying, "You can handle this!" - Stick to routines. Make sure your child has a predictable day and a predictable world. Ensure regular nutrition and sleep patterns. Create a calming bedtime ritual (such as brush teeth, book, and hug), and maybe even a calming goodbye ritual (such as backpack, hug, and "you can do this!"). When events out of your control create chaos or unpredictability, make sure that you are a calm and constant presence for your child.
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AuthorHi, I'm Brie Krentz, and I'm the School Psychologist at HGECC. I care about the social, emotional, behavioral, and mental health of all of our children, and I believe in Conscious Discipline as a way to minimize behavior problems and to help children connect meaningfully with others. Archives
October 2021
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