Understanding and Supporting Your Child's Worries and Anxiety

At Botley School, we understand that worries and anxiety are a common part of childhood. This page is designed to provide you with friendly advice, practical strategies, and some wonderful book recommendations to help your child navigate these feelings.

Why Do Children Experience Worries and Anxiety?

It's perfectly normal for children to experience worries from time to time. These worries can stem from various sources, such as new situations, academic pressures, social challenges, or changes in family dynamics. When worries become persistent and interfere with a child's daily life, they may develop anxiety.

Recognising Signs of Anxiety in Children:

Keep an eye out for signs like excessive worrying, difficulty sleeping, physical symptoms like headaches, irritability, avoidance of social situations, changes in appetite, or difficulty concentrating.

Practical Strategies to Help Your Child:

• Create a Safe Space for Communication: Listen and validate your child's feelings. Acknowledge their worries without dismissing them. Encourage open communication by asking questions and avoiding telling them not to worry.
• Teach and Model Coping Mechanisms: Introduce relaxation techniques like deep breathing or mindfulness. Help them develop problem-solving skills and encourage activities that distract from anxiety. Model calm behaviour when faced with challenges.
• Establish a Sense of Routine and Seek Support: Consistent routines provide security. Ensure your child gets enough sleep, healthy meals, and exercise. If anxiety is severe or persistent, seek professional help from a doctor, therapist, or school counsellor.

Explore Feelings and Find Comfort in Stories

Books can be a wonderful way to open up conversations about worries and anxieties. Here are some recommendations:

"What to Do When You Worry Too Much" by Dawn Huebner Ph.D.:

A helpful workbook that provides practical strategies for children to manage their worries.

"No Worries Activity Book" by Katie Abey:

An interactive and fun activity book designed to help children explore and manage their worries in a playful way.

"The Huge Bag of Worries" by Virginia Ironside:

A book that is fabulous for addressing worries and anxieties with children. It helps children understand that worries can get big, but they can also be shared and managed.

"Little Mouse's Big Book of Fears" by Emily Gravett:

Brilliant for exploring fears and opening up discussions with a child – a delightful book with interactive elements.

"You've Got Dragons" by Kathryn Cave:

A book that uses the metaphor of dragons to represent worries, particularly suitable for older children.

"Silly Bill" by Anthony Browne:

Great if you want to make a worry doll too! This story is a good starting point for exploring how to manage worries through creative activities.

"The Invisible String" by Patrice Karst:

Great for separation anxiety. This heart-warming story explains how we are always connected to the people we love, even when we are apart.

"Owl Babies" by Martin Waddell:

A comforting story for young children experiencing separation anxiety, reassuring them that their parents will always return.

"Crumble the Comfort Cat" by Kay Lord:

Brilliant for bedtime read and anxieties. A calming story that can help children relax before bed and ease worries.

"The Kissing Hand" by Audrey Penn:

For separation anxiety. A sweet story that helps children feel connected to their parents when they are apart.