Dealing with children's feelings is a notoriously tough subject to navigate for any parents or teachers. The first step is identifying if they are suffering from anxiety or just simply worried about something small which can be rectified quickly. Below are a few signs you may see in children who are anxious.

• finding it hard to concentrate.
• not sleeping, or waking in the night with bad dreams.
• not eating properly.
• quickly getting angry or irritable, and being out of control during outbursts.
• constantly worrying or having negative thoughts.
• feeling tense and fidgety, or using the toilet often.

If this sounds familiar to you then we have compiled a handful of useful products and techniques to either find out the root cause or aid their recovery.

1. Encourage them to talk about their feelings: Children may not always understand or know how to express their anxiety. Encourage them to talk about their feelings and listen to them without judgment. Sometimes this is not always the easiest so why not try the worry doll / jar method? This concept is ideal for both parents and teachers, and is more helpful initially in finding out what is troubling your little one. What is a worry doll? Worry dolls (also called trouble dolls; in Spanish, Muñeca quitapena) are small, hand-made dolls that originate from Guatemala. According to legend, Guatemalan children tell their worries to the Worry Dolls, placing them under their pillow when they go to bed at night. By morning the dolls have gifted them with the wisdom and knowledge to eliminate their worries. Children can either make these themselves, you can find them online or our Worry Yummy Monster Soft toys are the modern approach to this innovative idea. The idea behind the monsters that eat your worries, is that children write down or draw a picture of what's upsetting them and put it into the toys mouth, which is then zipped shut, banishing their worries.

2. Help them understand their anxiety: Children may not understand why they feel anxious. Explain to them in simple terms what anxiety is and that it is a normal feeling.

3. Teach them coping mechanisms: There are many ways to cope with anxiety, such as deep breathing, exercise, and mindfulness. Teach your child these techniques and encourage them to use them when they feel anxious. You may have thought this was a more adult approach, however it is effective for people of all ages. Children should close their eyes, or look down to their hands. Guide them in taking three slow deep breaths in and out to see if they can feel their hands being moved. You may like to count “1, 2, 3” for each breath in and “1, 2, 3” for each breath out, pausing slightly at the end of each exhale. Deep breathing increases the supply of oxygen to your brain and stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system, which promotes a state of calmness. Breathing techniques help you feel connected to your body—it brings your awareness away from the worries in your head and quiets your mind.

4. Seek professional help: If your child's anxiety is severe or interfering with their daily life, seek professional help. A therapist or counselor can provide additional support and teach your child more effective coping strategies.

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