Helping our children cope with Stress and Anxiety (Part 2)
Communication is key to helping our children cope with stress and anxiety
As parents and caregivers, we are often busy and stressed ourselves, so we miss the signs off stress and anxiety that our children could be going through.
When our children are quiet or withdrawn, we conclude they could be tired, or their busy with home work or they need a rest. Although we could appreciate the peace and quiet, there could be underlying issues that we are unaware of.
In part one of the ‘Helping our children cope with Stress and Anxiety‘ video series, we learn that Talia’s teacher has noticed that Talia is not herself, so she calls a meeting with Talia’s father. By talking about Talia’s behavour, both Talia’s teacher and Talia’s father begin to piece together what could be causing the out of character behavour.
This Pacific Learners video highlights the importance of communication. By understanding the triggers of why our children are stressed and worried, we can then begin to provide support and see our children flourish.
5 effective ways of communicating with your child
- Give your child your full attention, turn off your phone and make sure there are no interruptions. You child is your priority
- Encourage your children to talk about how they feel and what they are thinking. Ask open ended questions
- Do not judge your child or say things like ‘this is what you need to do!’ This is a time for sharing feelings and building trust
- Be aware of your body language and tone. Try not to cross your arms or raise your voice, this will result in your child withdrawing
- Build on what your child is saying, say things like ‘tell me more’ or ‘that must have been difficult’. Try not butt in when your child is talking
In Part one of ‘Helping our children cope with Stress and Anxiety‘ we uncover the signs of why Talia is feeling anxious and stressed.