It can be difficult to know what to say to your children when they are feeling worried, nervous or fearful. These 8 tips of what to say can be useful:

1. I’m here with you. You are safe.
2. Do you want to do some running or dancing to get rid of the worried energy?
3. Tell me about it?
4. Let’s draw it.
5. What does it feel like in your body? Where is the worry? How big is it?
6. Match your breaths to mine.
7. Let’s think ups some endings for what could happen (anxious ones, goofy ones AND realistic ones).
8. What’s something we could do to help you feel better?

What helps is of course different for each of us – helping children become aware of what their unique, favourite and safe ways are for feeling better, e.g. lego building, drawing, colouring, writing, shooting basketball hoops, is intrinsically worthwhile.  Have fun creating your ‘self-soothing’ lists together.

Veronica Harris
Wellbeing Officer