5 Simple Tips to Help Your Child with Anxiety

May 23

Written By Katie Fries

The best way to help your child overcome anxiety is through the simple acronym ‘TEACH’.

T- Talk

E- Exercise

A- Affirmation

C- Challenge

H- Help

The first letter T stands for Talk. It is important to talk to your child about their anxiety and

worries. Talking is healing and it is important to allow your child to communicate their feelings

of anxiety, despite the fact that it might be unfamiliar or uncomfortable.

The second letter E stands for Exercise. It’s a known fact that many children love to play outside and are constantly on their feet. Encouraging your child to move their body and explore is a great and simple tool for reducing their anxiety and will foster independence and confidence.

Next is the letter A which stands for Affirmation. Affirmation is a popular tool that any individual regardless of age can use in their daily lives. Affirmations are simple sayings or mottos that you can repeat to yourself everyday.

For example, to your child the affirmation could be “I do the best I can, and that is enough.” In terms of anxiety a good and common affirmation is “Take a deep breath in and out slowly. I can do this.” and “I am

strong.” Affirming your child every morning before school, and every night before they go to bed can help to ease their anxiety and help them realize their strengths.

The next letter is C which stands for Challenge. While affirming is a great tool, it is important to increase awareness in your child by challenging them to process and sit with their uncomfortable feelings. Parents can help children to challenge their thoughts by externalizing anxiety as an animal or another character. For example, if the child chooses to name their anxiety “Nervous Nelly,” you could let them know that “Nelly” is trying to protect them but that they do not have to listen to what they have to say. You could invite them to think of times when “Nelly” has been wrong (perhaps when “Nelly” told them that something would go horribly but it actually went okay). Parents can also challenge their children (and themselves!) to face their fears through working to avoid accommodating their child’s anxiety. This can be tricky, and a therapist can provide guidance on how to do this most effectively. Words can be difficult to express herefore turning to art or play therapy can be an effective method to encourage and challenge your child to face the uncomfortable feelings.

Finally the letter H stands for Help. When your child is facing these unwanted feelings, always help them through it. By using the method ‘TEACH’ your child will learn that having anxiety is okay and they are not alone.

Katie Fries