Anxiety is a natural and common response experienced by everyone, including children. As parents and caregivers, it’s vital to equip ourselves with knowledge about anxiety to support our children effectively. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) emphasizes the significance of learning and teaching about anxiety as a fundamental strategy for managing it. Here’s why it matters and how to implement it:
Embrace Knowledge
Begin by researching both the positive and negative aspects of anxiety. Understand that anxiety serves a purpose, such as protecting us from danger by triggering our “fight, flight, or freeze” responses. Introduce this concept to your child in age-appropriate terms, highlighting that anxiety is a natural response that everyone experiences.
ANXIETY IS NORMAL, COMMON, AND TREATABLE
Visual Learning
Utilize visual aids to help your child grasp the concept of anxiety better. Watching informative videos together, such as the one below, can simplify complex ideas and initiate important conversations.
Body Awareness
Encourage your child to become aware of how anxiety manifests in their body. Techniques like body scans and Body Mapping can help them identify physical sensations associated with anxiety, such as sweaty palms or a racing heart. Tools like “My Anxiety Plan (MAP)” offer structured exercises and lessons to facilitate this process.
Flip through and click on an image to learn more about the technique.
Normalize and Acknowledge
Normalize anxiety by acknowledging its presence and teaching your child to “name it to tame it.” This approach, exemplified in resources like “Taming Worry Dragons” workbook and “What to Do When You Worry Too Much,” validates their feelings and provides practical strategies for managing anxiety.
Flip through and click on the image to learn more about the books, which are also available in Ms. Gill’s office.
Utilize Technology
Leverage the power of technology by exploring anxiety management apps and games tailored to children’s needs. Apps like Mindshift, Mood Gym, and games like “Worry Rockets” can make learning about anxiety engaging and interactive for children.
Flip through and click on an image to learn more about the app.
Knowledge is a powerful tool in the journey toward emotional well-being. By incorporating these strategies and learning together with your child, you can navigate anxiety with confidence and resilience, and empower them to understand and cope with anxiety effectively.
In our next post…we transition from concept to application as we explore physiological techniques in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and uncover practical insights for managing anxiety. Discover how dietary choices, physical activity, and even something as simple as using an ice pack can send powerful messages to your body, reassuring it that everything is okay.