Just like adults, children and young people feel worried and anxious at times.

If your child's worries and their anxiety are starting to affect their wellbeing, they may need some help.

When younger children feel anxious, they cannot always understand or tell you how they are feeling. They may start to: 

• become irritable, tearful or clingy
• have difficulty sleeping
• wake in the night
• start bedwetting
• have bad dreams

In older children you may notice that they:

• lack the confidence to try new things find it difficult to face everyday challenges
• find it harder to concentrate than usual
• have changes in their sleeping or eating habits
• become angry more easily
• have a lot of negative thoughts, or keep thinking that bad things are going to happen
• start avoiding everyday activities, such as seeing their friends, going out in public or going to school

If your child is experiencing anxiety, there are things that you can do to help.

It is important to talk to your child about their anxiety or worries.  Reassure them and show them you understand how they feel.

You could also:

• teach your child to recognise signs of anxiety in themselves
• encourage your child to manage their anxiety and ask for help when they need it
• try to stick to regular daily routines where possible
• if your child is anxious because of distressing events, such as berevement  or separation, look for books that will help them to understand their feelings
• if you know a change, such as a house move, is coming up, prepare your child by talking to them about what is going to happen and why
• try not to become overprotective or anxious yourself
• turn an empty tissue box into a "worry" box. Get your child to write about or draw their worries and "post" them into the box. Then you can sort through the box together at the end of the day or week.
• practice simple relaxation techniques with your child, such as taking 3 deep, slow breaths, breathing in for a count of 3 and out for 3. You'll find more guidance for helping children with anxiety on the websites below
• Speak to your child's class teacher or Ms Towers about getting support for your child from our ELSA./Learning Mentor.

USEFUL BOOKS TO READ WITH YOUR CHILD