Parenting comes with its fair share of challenges, but when anxiety enters the picture, it can feel overwhelming. Childhood anxiety is more common than many parents realize, and knowing how to support your child through their worries and fears can make a world of difference.
Kenosis owner Christine Turo-Shields, a licensed clinical social worker with 40 years of experience, recently gave a presentation on childhood anxiety at the Edgewood Preschool Cooperative in south Indianapolis. As both a professional therapist and a parent who has navigated anxiety with her own children, Christine brings a wealth of expertise and relatable insights to this topic.
How to Recognize and Manage Childhood Anxiety
In her presentation, Christine breaks down the many different types of childhood anxiety, from generalized anxiety and separation anxiety to specific phobias and social fears. She also explains how anxiety can be influenced by both genetics and learned behaviors, offering practical strategies to help children and parents navigate anxious thoughts and emotions.
Some key takeaways from the presentation include:
- The connection between a parent’s anxiety and a child’s anxiety
- How language and thought patterns shape a child’s emotional responses
- Practical techniques, such as cognitive restructuring and mindfulness, to help children manage anxiety
- The importance of recognizing early warning signs and intervening before anxiety escalates
We invite you to watch the full presentation below to gain valuable insights and actionable steps for supporting your child through their anxiety.