Helping Children Cope with Anxiety
- Validate the child's feelings and understand his/her worries are real to him/her
- Model appropriate responses to stress
- Teach relaxation techniques such as: deep breathing, self talk, counting down, and tensing and releasing muscles
- Allow child to utilize a stress ball when appropriate
- Try to minimize emphasis on competition
- Encourage calming activities such as silent reading or listening to music
- Provide routines and schedules when appropriate
Last Modified on January 21, 2013