Page 36 - Waterfall City August Issue 2023

Waterfall City Today’s Child

PHOTO BY ADRIÀ CREHUET CANO

may say. Let them problem solve it as realistic ones. PHOTO BY MONSTERA
far as possible in order to build their • Deep breathing exercises to relax –
confidence. breathing deeply from your belly is a
• Build confidence – achieving small great tool to help you and your child
things successfully helps to build calm down, refocus and think clearly.
confidence. Give your child some The action increases oxygen levels in
chores or a task to complete to the bloodstream, lowers the heart and
help them build their confidence. breathing rates, and reduces muscle
Opportunities to face challenges are tension and stress levels. Let your child
important in confidence building. place their hands on their belly and
Praise efforts rather than results and chest, then take a deep, slow breath in
if they get stuck, let them know that through the nose, hold the breath and
PHOTO BY MART PRODUCTION with you and plan how to overcome like blowing out birthday candles.
release it slowly through the mouth,
they can always discuss the obstacles
them.
• Challenge negative and unhelpful
• Don’t minimise or ridicule their
thoughts – encourage your child What not to do
• Validate and display empathy to talk through what they are anxiety. Never minimise what your
– remember that your children’s experiencing or what is causing child is experiencing by telling them
emotions, thought processes and them distress. This will help you to to “just get on and do it” or “tough
experiences are very real to them, understand the thoughts your child is cookie, deal with it”. Their feelings
regardless of how you may perceive telling themself, so that you can work are real and they are taking strain, so
them. It is crucial that your child feels with them to identify more helpful support your child with compassion,
heard and understood. Recognise and and realistic thoughts. They may kindness and empathy in facing their
affirm that their thoughts, feelings and realise, in talking through it, that the fears. The fact that they verbalise
experiences are valid and important. fear isn’t real. their fears is great, so don’t shut the
• Break down tasks – studying for a communication channel down.
test, preparing for a presentation or Direct the conversation to get them to • Don’t label emotions. Never label
creating a project can seem like an think about the situation in a different, emotions as good or bad. The
overwhelming task. Help your child more positive manner. For example, experience is what counts. How you
to break this down into smaller steps ask if they have failed at the task deal with the emotions may be less
that feel less daunting. Encourage and before. Ask: “What did you do before to than ideal, but you and your child
praise them as they complete each succeed? What else can you do?” can still learn a valuable lesson even
step; like a puzzle, the pieces will fall from a negative situation. The positive
into place. Directing conversation with questions experiences will build confidence and,
• Role-play conversations – it’s a great will allow your child to break the hopefully, reduce anxiety.
idea to help your child prepare for a perceived problem up into smaller
situation they’re concerned about, chunks. The point is to focus on If you feel that your child is not coping,
such as asking a teacher for help. Role the evidence and the conclusions despite the abovementioned advice,
playing and rehearsing the feared independently. Realising for themselves seek professional help either through
situation can remove the anxiety. that they will not fail is the most channels within the school or ask your
Let them talk through how they may powerful tool you can give them. Help GP for a referral. Never leave an anxious
approach the situation and what they them convert unhelpful thoughts into child unsupported.

34 Waterfall City Issue 8 2023