This guide is designed to assist parents in supporting children who are feeling anxious about returning to school after lockdown. It provides valuable insights into understanding anxiety and offers practical techniques for managing worries, emotions, anger, and negative thoughts.
Included are strategies for creating routines, handling separation, adapting to change, practising relaxation, and seeking additional support. Detailed explanations of anxiety and the fight/flight response are provided to enhance understanding.
Parents will find helpful suggestions on identifying types of worry, problem-solving, using coping statements, cognitive restructuring, and gradual exposure to anxiety-inducing situations. Insights into improving sleep, diet, exercise, energy management, and methods for easing separation anxiety are also discussed.
Relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, mindfulness, meditation, and grounding exercises are included to promote calmness. The guide addresses parental anxiety, emphasising the importance of validating children’s feelings and offering unconditional support.
Key skills highlighted in the guide encompass emotion identification, self-soothing practices, cognitive restructuring, accessing social support, establishing routines, and learning to sit with discomfort. The goal is to foster open communication and resilience, equipping parents with a comprehensive toolkit to nurture their child’s mental well-being.
This resource will be beneficial for any parent aiming to aid a child in managing anxiety related to returning to school or navigating other life transitions. The guidance is suitable for children in primary and early secondary school.
Contents:
- Understanding Anxiety
- Worry Management
- Understanding Anger
- Managing Emotions
- Challenging Negative Thoughts
- Routines: Sleep, Diet & Exercise
- A Guide to Energy Banking
- Tips for Being Apart
- Managing Change
- ‘Dos and Don’ts’
- Relaxation
- Other Places to get Support
