Supporting Children in Anxious Times
These are anxious times. Our children’s anxiety is showing up in meltdowns, refusal, clinginess, and more.
Some of us are overwhelmed with our own anxiety. You are NOT alone, and you do NOT have to have all the answers.
Here are 6 strategies to protect our children, help them process, and take care of ourselves from the NRP and Sesame Workshop Podcast LifeKit.
Mindful monitoring: Be mindful of news in the background. Children are listening and watching, even when we think they are not.
Get curious: Start by asking children what THEY know and how THEY are feeling. Building on their understanding builds connection.
Create context: Help children understand facts in context by sharing developmentally appropriate information. For younger children, this can include maps to reassure children they are safe and show them how far away that scary thing was. For older children, this can include conversations about how media is constructed, what information and perspectives and being shared, and which are not.
Avoid easy answers and talk about the helpers: When children ask WHY, resist the urge to label people as “good” or “bad.” As Mr. Rogers’ said, “look for the helpers” and focus on who is helping people feel safe.
Support expression: Encourage children to reconstruct their understanding and express their feelings through play and art. Play and art are how children process their experiences and emotions.
Don’t just talk. Take action: Create family emergency preparation plans and make donations to support those impacted and the helpers. Action transforms powerlessness into empowerment.
Listen to the full podcast HERE. Sign up for the Learn Play Grow newsletter to access a toolbox of strategies, and follow Learn Play Grow on Facebook and Instagram.