The best tips for overcoming children's anxiety in Africa

All children, like all adults, are sometimes anxious.

But for some, anxiety can take over, preventing them from doing what they love.

But new research by Professor Cathy Creswell at the University of Reading, UK, has shown that there are things parents can do to help ease their child's anxiety.

Professor Creswell, who is also the author of several books on overcoming childhood anxiety, has put together some tips based on her research and other recent studies on anxiety. To know more visit anxiety help in South Africa.

1) Don't say: "Don't worry, this will never happen"

Children four to eight years old may worry about ghosts, monsters, or animals.

Older children are more likely to be afraid of being hurt by real but rare events, such as murder, terrorism or nuclear war.

No matter what age group your child is, don't ignore their fears.

Just telling them what they fear will never happen or suggesting that they are stupid because they worry will not help them.

Instead, recognize how their fears should make them feel.

2) Try not to organize life around their worries

You don't need to plan for an alternative - let your child find a solution and help him out if he asks you to.

or you might deny your child the chance to learn that he can cope with the situations he fears.

If your child is afraid of dogs, you might feel pressured to cross the street when a dog appears.

But the message is that they are right to be afraid.

This does not mean that you should force a child to face something that terrifies them, but rather help them to gradually come closer.

3) don't intervene with a solution - listen carefully

The idea is to try to understand what they are feeling and when, but not constantly asking them how they are feeling.

Be sure to listen to them to find out the reasons for their fears.

It's tempting to step in with solutions, but instead listen to your child as they explain their fears to you - this could be based on a misunderstanding.

4) Ask questions to help them realize that their concerns may not be realistic

For example, ask them what kinds of things have happened in the past that make them think this might happen.

Start with small steps to help them see that their fearful expectations of an event may not come true after all, or that they may be able to cope with any challenge.

5) gradually test their fears

One of the things they do at the University of Reading is teaching parents to build their children's confidence by getting them to plan ten steps to do what scares them.

6) it's normal to feel anxious sometimes

Anxiety is a part of life - what we need to learn is how to deal with it.

... but if their anxiety often causes them distress and causes them to avoid everyday situations and miss things, then it may help to seek more advice.

Look for books with strategies you can try, or approach your doctor for help, such as cognitive behavioral therapy.

Remember that you cannot hope to eliminate all anxiety from your child's life.

Your goal is to help them get used to a bit of uncertainty, rather than trying to eliminate it altogether.

Learning to regulate our emotions is part of childhood.