Strategies for Managing Stress and Anxiety
As parents, we want to raise happy, confident children. However, it is natural for children to experience anxious thoughts sometimes and it's important to teach kids how to deal with these difficult emotions.
Practicing mindfulness, meditation, and belly breathing are some ways to help children regain calm and quiet their mind. Talking about new experiences or places helps children know what to expect and can ease anxiety. Making matching thinking of you bracelets or reading books like ‘The Kissing Hand’ can help children experiencing separation anxiety.
Explore these articles and activities as you help your child learn how to face these big feelings and become more confident as they explore the world.
If you feel your child is experiencing anxiety beyond typical childhood stressors, be sure to talk to your child’s pediatrician or a mental health expert for further guidance.
Articles
Practice Mindfulness With PBS KIDS Shows and Games
Children can learn mindfulness through simple activities. Check out these PBS KIDS shows and games to help grow your family’s mindfulness skills.
Make a Plan! How to Help When Your Child Is Anxious
New and challenging situations can cause anxiety for kids. Here are some tips to help kids stay calm by being prepared.
4 Ways to Quiet a Busy Moment With “Donkey Hodie”
Finding quiet in a busy moment is a helpful skill for young children to learn. Here are some things to keep in mind.
20 Activities to Help Your Child Manage Frustration
It’s normal and expected that children feel frustrated when things don’t go their way. Here are some simple activities that may help your child cope when they’re frustrated.
4 Things to Do When Your Child Is Worried
Worry can be confusing and scary for young children. Here are four things you can do to help your child understand and work through their worries.
Nature as Stress Relief for Kids
Playing in nature has a number of benefits for children. No matter where you live, here are some ways to reduce stress and anxiety by going outside.
11 Simple Self-Care Habits for Kids
Creating healthy habits of rest at a young age empowers kids to continue to be resilient in all life brings. Here are 11 easy strategies to help kids practice self-care.
Simple Strategies to Help Your Child Manage Anxiety
It is natural for all children to experience anxiety at times. The good news? Parents and grownups can use simple strategies to support kids when anxious thoughts arise.
Activities & Games
Practice Mindfulness With Belly Breathing
This calming exercise can help children as young as three practice feeling grounded.
Overcoming Fears Through Pretend Play
Talk about a fear and problem solve ways to help your child become less afraid.
Make Matching “Thinking of You” Bracelets
10 min activityMake matching bracelets to wear with your child to help them feel reassured whenever you are separated — like at school or after a difficult drop off!
Why Do Things Look Different in the Dark?
20 min activityHas your child ever noticed that toys or other objects in their room look different in the dark? Well, they haven’t changed — we just see them a bit differently when the lights are off!
Monster at the End of This Game
Find the monster at the end of this game while Grover does everything he can to stop you!