Counsellor's Corner

SUPPORTING YOUR CHILD'S WORRIES: 6 KEY STRATEGIES

Dear Parents,

I hope this letter finds you well. As a school counsellor, I understand that children may sometimes feel worried or anxious about various aspects of their lives. It is important to provide them with support and guidance to help them navigate these feelings. Here are six key points on how you can respond to your children's worries:

1. Listen Actively and Empathetically: When your child expresses worries, make sure to listen attentively without interrupting. Show empathy by acknowledging their feelings and letting them know that it’s okay to feel worried. For example, you could say, "I can see that you’re feeling really anxious about your test/ friendship with ... It’s normal to feel this way."

2. Provide Reassurance and Comfort: Offer reassurance that they are not alone and that you are there to support them. Comfort them with words and actions that show you care. Simple gestures like a hug or saying, "I’m here for you, and we’ll work through this together," can be very comforting.

3. Help Them Identify and Express Emotions: Encourage your child to talk about what specifically is worrying them. Helping them label their emotions can be very empowering. You might say, "Can you tell me a little more about what’s making you feel anxious?" or "It sounds like you’re struggling with the spelling tests/writing/coping with the friendship fires with... Let’s have a look what we can do to let you feel better."

4. Teach Problem-Solving Skills: Guide your child in thinking through their worries and coming up with potential solutions. Break down the problem into manageable steps and discuss possible actions they can take. For example, "If you’re worried about making new friends, maybe we can explore some strategies to start a conversation."

5. Model Positive Coping Strategies: Show your child how to cope with worries by modelling positive behaviour. Share your own experiences of overcoming worries and the strategies you use. This might include deep breathing exercises, grounding, self-affirmation, or engaging in a favourite hobby to relax. Encourage them to try these strategies with you as well.

6. Encourage Seeking Support: Let your child know that it’s okay to seek help from others when they are feeling worried. Encourage them to talk a trusted adult, such as a family member, a teacher, or a school counsellor. Reassure them that seeking support is a sign of strength and an important step in managing their worries.

Chanel Cortesano

School Counsellor