09/10/2025
Anxiety in children often shows up in ways parents don’t expect, tummy aches before school, sudden anger, restlessness, or needing reassurance. These are signs the body’s alarm system (the amygdala) is switched on, even when there’s no real danger.
When we understand what’s happening in the brain, we can respond calmly rather than react. Anxiety isn’t misbehaviour, it’s the nervous system saying, “I don’t feel safe.”
✨ Here’s what I recommend:
1. Understand what’s going on for your child
Children’s anxious behaviours often stem from underlying thoughts and feelings. For example, “If I make a mistake, everyone will laugh at me.” Understanding this helps us respond with curiosity “I wonder what you were thinking just before you felt worried?”
2. Use simple strategies to regulate
Help the body calm down before talking it through. Try:
✨ Slow breathing together (breathing and mindfulness can be “fad” words these days but understanding the physiology behind it makes a lot of sense. Blowing out the candle is a great technique!
✨ A walk, stretch, or sensory play (water play, sand, squishy toys)
✨ Naming the feeling: “You’re feeling nervous, that’s okay, I’m here with you.” (We understand that this one has a lot to do with our parental capacity… Self-care is very important 🥰)
3. Know when to seek help
If your child’s worries start to interfere with daily life, trouble sleeping, avoiding school, or withdrawing from friends, professional support can make a difference.
Early intervention can teach lifelong coping skills and strengthen resilience.
🌼 Cooroy Therapy : Supporting children and families through big feelings ✨
