Navigating Anxiety in Children with Compassion and Personal Power –

Anxiety is on the rise in our culture, both for adults and for our children. As educators and caregivers, we want to do everything we can to reduce anxiety and help our children thrive, but often our actions do the opposite, especially when we struggle with anxiety ourselves.

Because we want our children to feel better, the adult message when children are anxious is often a version of “we need to get rid of this anxiety.” Then the adult works to distract the child, or to convince him that there is nothing to worry about. How would you feel if your friends and family reacted to your concerns?

Trying to get rid of a feeling never makes it go away! To help children (and ourselves) feel more powerful and competent, we need to look directly at anxiety and listen to what they are trying to say.

READ THE FULL ARTICLE AND LISTEN TO JENN ON THE WHITNEY PORT PODCAST FOR MORE

DEEPENING THIS TOPIC IN OUR ONLINE COURSE: NAVIGATING ANXIETY IN CHILDREN