There are many kinds of normal fears and worries children have as a part of growing up. Separating from Mum, loud noises, animals, media events, being in a new place or being around new people, can elicit a fearful and anxious response.
Children of all ages experience fears and worries of some kind, which come and go. But when a child experiences constant fear or worry beyond what might be developmentally appropriate, or if this reaction interferes with learning in the classroom or enjoying everyday life, this can be a real cause for concern.
Should You Be Worried About Your Child’s Worries?
Some parents report that their child has become so overwhelmed and bogged down with fear and worry, that they cannot attend sports practice, join in with new activities or attend play dates or birthday parties. Because of this, they worry that their child is missing out on all the positive life experiences their friends seem to enjoy.
Without adequate coping skills, parents might start to notice their child moving from one area of worry to another as they get older. For example, a young child who has a fear that something bad might happen to a parent may have difficulty falling asleep at night or separating from them – well beyond the toddler years.
What You Can Do
For some children, the support and encouragement offered by parents and teachers is not enough – they may even bring about an opposite response of increased emotional distress in the child.
You can help by paying close attention to the effect of your responses, to gauge how effective or beneficial they might be. If your responses don’t seem to be working consistently, maybe it’s time to try another way?
We can all feel worried from time to time, and there are lots of things children can learn to help themselves feel better.
Are You Worried About Your Anxious Child?
Resilience Kit specialises in programs to help children who struggle with their emotions, learn better ways to cope with life’s challenges. As learning takes place in a group setting, children to come to understand that they are not alone. If you or your child could benefit from additional support, learn more about our group programs and private home sessions. View the upcoming program dates
here.
