22/07/2025
A Simple Way to Help an Anxious Child Regulate
When your child is anxious, your first instinct might be to talk them through it.
- “Don’t worry.”
- “It’s not a big deal.”
- “You’ve done this before.”
But when a child’s nervous system is in fight, flight, or freeze, they can’t access logic or reason.
They don’t need words first.
They need safety.
One simple tool we teach parents at OCFR is this:
🌟 Start with the body, not the brain.
Try one of these regulation-first strategies the next time your child is anxious or overwhelmed:
1. Offer something cold to drink or hold – Cold sensory input can help shift their nervous system out of panic.
2. Take slow breaths together – Make it playful: blow out “birthday candles” or “pretend you’re blowing up a balloon.”
3. Help them notice what’s around them – Ask: “Can you name 3 things you see?” This brings the brain back to the present.
They’re nervous system cues that tell the body: You’re safe now.
Once your child is calm, then you can talk, reflect, or problem-solve.
This approach isn’t about avoiding hard feelings, it’s about meeting your child with connection and regulation first.
We have immediate availability for child, youth, caregiver and family therapy. To schedule your free 15 minute intake call, visit www.ocfr.ca.
