The booklet titled “The Anxious Child” is a resource for parents and carers to understand more about anxiety in children and young people. Published by the Mental Health Foundation and supported by the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, it addresses the concerns parents may have about their child’s behaviour, particularly when it changes or seems out of the ordinary.
The booklet discusses the prevalence of anxiety disorders among children and adolescents, acknowledging that a significant number suffer from anxiety that impacts their daily lives. It aims to clarify what constitutes typical childhood behaviour and when behaviour might indicate an underlying anxiety disorder.
Key points from the booklet include:
- Understanding Anxiety in Children: It explains that all children experience powerful emotions and that feelings of fear and worry are a normal part of growing up. However, it also recognises that children are sensitive to their surroundings and can often feel responsible for adverse events at home, leading to worry and guilt.
- Developmental Stages and Anxiety: The booklet notes that fears and phobias are common in early childhood and puberty. It suggests that while infants’ distress is often due to physical needs, anxiety can manifest in toddlers as clinginess or distress at separation from caregivers.
- Supporting Anxious Children: Parents are encouraged to help their children by offering reassurance and allowing them to have comforting objects, which can aid in coping. The booklet also advises on giving children a range of experiences and the autonomy to make small decisions to build confidence.
- Identifying Excessive Anxiety: It highlights that excessive clinging or inability to play with others or sleep alone may indicate that a child is overly anxious. The booklet suggests that parents consider their child’s nature and environment when assessing their behaviour.
The booklet spans 24 pages and provides a comprehensive overview of anxiety in children, offering insights into how parents can support their children through various stages of development and anxiety.
FREE PDF DOWNLOAD OF THE ANXIOUS CHILD: A BOOKLET FOR PARENTS AND CARERS WANTING TO KNOW MORE ABOUT ANXIETY IN CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE
