• Talk to your child about their anxieties and worries
• Reassure them
• Show them you understand
• Assist your child to recognize signs of anxiety
• Try to stick with regular daily routines as it is reassuring
• Prepare your children for new events that they are going to face
• Don’t try to become overprotective
• Practice simple relaxation techniques with your child
• Distractions can help your child

• Feeling scared
• Difficulty concentrating
• Not sleeping or waking up in the middle of the night with bad dreams
• Not eating properly
• Quickly getting angry
• Being out of control during outbursts
• Constantly worrying
• Negative thoughts
• Feeling tense
• Crying often
• Increased bathroom use
• Being clingy
• Complaining of physiological pains

The reason for anxiety differs depending on the age of the child.

It is normal for children to feel anxious and worried from time to time, like when they join school, move to a new place, face huge audience. But for some children, anxiety affects their behaviours and thoughts on a day to day basis, interfering with their living for instance at school, home or social set ups. This is when you need to consider it as a serious issue and consult a professional.

Teach the child to follow the following techniques -

• Communicate with others assertively.
• Set achievable and realistic goals. When you achieve them, congratulate and treat yourself, and allow others to congratulate you.
• Accept compliments - say thank you, and smile.
• Act the person you want to be - play the role for long enough and you can become that person.
• Visualise positive change.
• Look after yourself.
• Stand, walk and talk confidently.
• Allow the child to dress neatly and present nicely.
• mindfulness – living in present not in past or future.
• Take up a new hobby or interest.
• Overcome Avoidance.
• Problem solve.
• Do things for others - help someone out. It makes us feel better about ourselves.
• Set limits and agree what you will and won't do.