How to help your worried and anxious child

Every child experiences worry and anxiety at some point, especially growing up and doing things for the first time. But if this worry starts interfering with your child's ability to function, here are some methods that can help.

• You do your best to protect your child and provide a loving, comfortable home where he feels safe. The truth is, though, that it's a big, scary world out there.
• All young children experience fears and anxiety, especially as they get older and become more aware of their world and their surroundings.
• Being afraid of the dark, strangers, storms and ghosts are some common childhood worries, but when your child's worries begin to interfere with daily life, it's time to intervene.

There are several techniques parents can use at home to help ease children's anxiety and fears.

Deep breathing can be helpful.

• Demonstrate slow and deep inhaling and exhaling with your child.
• Help your child practice visualization techniques like the sound of the calm surf on a sandy beach in the warm sun or swinging back and forth in a relaxing hammock.
• Purchase a sound machine with calm, soothing sounds.

Encourage your child to talk to you about his or her anxieties. Use logic and reason to help ease your child's fears.

• For example, if your child tells you that he or she is worried about someone breaking into your home, talk about how safe your neighbourhood is and explain that the police protect everyone in town.
• If you have a dog, explain how difficult it would for an intruder to enter the house without alerting the dog.

Dr. Dawn Huebner, the author of What to Do When You Worry Too Much, suggests using a method called "Worry Time."

• If a worry pops into your child's head, tell him to put it into an imaginary worry box and do something else.
• Parents can schedule worry time for 10-15 minutes every night when the box is opened and the family can discuss their worries together.
• The author also suggests having children view the worries as a "Worry Monster" that parents can help their children talk back to.

It's important to help your child focus on the positives in situations, as anxious children tend to dwell on negative thoughts.

• Encourage bravery, self-confidence and independence to help your child combat fearful and anxious situations.
• Parents should try to model these traits through their own words and actions.
• Rewarding your child with a hug, small treat or sticker when he faces a fear is a good way to boost self-esteem.