--- title: 6 Ways To Reduce Anxiety in Children description: 6 Ways To Reduce Anxiety In Children | Wellbeing | Emotional Intelligence | Anxiety image: https://www.lifeskillsgo.com/hubfs/90.jpg --- [![](https://www.lifeskillsgo.com/hs-fs/hubfs/-_LSGO%20LOGO%20MASTER_NO%20KIDS_HORIZONTAL_FC.png?width=1015&height=237&name=-_LSGO%20LOGO%20MASTER_NO%20KIDS_HORIZONTAL_FC.png)](https://www.lifeskillsgroup.com.au/) ##### Share with your network - ** - ** - ** - ** - [** ](mailto:?subject=6+Ways+To+Reduce+Anxiety+in+Children&body=Thought%20you'd%20find%20this%20interesting:%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.lifeskillsgo.com%2Fblog%2F6-ways-to-reduce-anxiety-in-children) Get notified of new resources via email ## 6 Ways To Reduce Anxiety in Children By **Life Skills Group ** Published ** 2 July 2018 13.25 PM** [Wellbeing](https://www.lifeskillsgo.com/blog/tag/wellbeing) [Social Skills](https://www.lifeskillsgo.com/blog/tag/social-skills) [Family Resources](https://www.lifeskillsgo.com/blog/tag/family-resources) [Emotional Intelligence](https://www.lifeskillsgo.com/blog/tag/emotional-intelligence) ##### Share with your network - ** - ** - ** - ** - [** ](mailto:?subject=6+Ways+To+Reduce+Anxiety+in+Children&body=Thought%20you'd%20find%20this%20interesting:%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.lifeskillsgo.com%2Fblog%2F6-ways-to-reduce-anxiety-in-children) [X](https://www.lifeskillsgo.com/blog/6-ways-to-reduce-anxiety-in-children#) × Anxiety in children is normal, just as it is in adults. Our bodies and minds are constantly stimulated, and just like an adult facing a massive workload, children can become overwhelmed by the world and its ways. Fairly so, considering they haven’t had the chance to experience the ups and downs of life just yet.  In some cases, there is a need to address more serious conditions such as General Anxiety Disorder, Asperger’s Syndrome or Autism, however in most cases, it's simply a matter of teaching kids how to manage their own anxiety. This can be successfully accomplished through teaching social emotional skills. *So, what are the main factors that cause stress amongst children?* We've outlined the most common stress factors in terms of age group below: **Babies** become stressed about loud noises, unfamiliar places, incommunicable discomfort, heights, strangers and parental separation. **Pre-schoolers** face separation anxiety from their parents, fear of the darkness, as well as frustration due to the inability to communicate, at a time when they are starting to develop their social skills. **Primary-aged children **can develop social anxiety early on. Disappointment, the fear of getting in trouble and physical threats are also common stress factors for this age group. **Teenagers** arguably experience the highest level of anxiety, considering the multiple changes in their lives; including puberty, identity, sexuality, school workload and the ever-daunting prospect of their futures. Our experts top 6 tips on how to reduce anxiety in children: Although it may not be the end of the world to you, a child might feel differently when ill-equipped or lacking sufficient experience to cope with a stressful scenario. Dismissing their anxieties can be extremely harmful, as it may cause a sense of shame, and discourage them from sharing these feelings with you in the future. We agree with Silverman and Kurtines (1996) that an absence of early intervention of anxiety is a big price to pay. Our top tip to you is to ensure your child is aware of your support, and to make sure they have a clear plan to resolve similar instances in the future. **STRIVE TO BE A GOOD ROLE MODEL** Educators and parents tend to avoid allowing kids to see them in an unhappy or stressed state out of fear that it will project those negative feelings upon them, however when that same child starts to develop similar emotions throughout their development, they will never have seen an example of helpful coping mechanisms. This can lead to a belief that they are unable to be resilient. To avoid this happening, make it known to your children or students when and how you deal with anxiety, not only so that they can learn from your wisdom, but also to encourage mutual consideration amongst emotional sensitivity.  **ENCOURAGE THEM TO GET OUT OF THEIR COMFORT ZONE** Discomfort is an inevitable part of life. One of the best things you can do to prepare your child for the real world is to encourage them to try new things, even if they induce slight anxiety. Of course, we are not saying to force them into traumatic situations, but rather a chance for them to learn something unfamiliar to them. Words of encouragement can go a long way in a new, and possibly scary environment. This teaches kids to persevere and build their own stress management skills. **BABY STEPS** Start with the little stuff. Sometimes a child can only see the enormous black cloud forming above them, but with your help, they can see the tiny drops of water that cloud is made up of. Rather than tackling the whole cloud, encourage the child to tackle each droplet at a time. Each time a small problem is resolved, the overwhelming feeling of anxiety gets increasingly smaller. Try engaging them with their favourite game, physical movement (i.e. a fundamental movement class or a non-competitive sport) or some reading for calm stimulation. Discovering these coping mechanisms will help with anxiety in teen and adult years.  **PRAISE THE CHILD** Everyone needs positive reinforcement, even adults. Positive reinforcement results in changes in brain chemistry, which can affect long-term behaviours positively. By allowing a child to see that overcoming fear and anxiety is a success and that is deserves celebration, it will build their skills in the management of anxiety in future. By offering encouragement, you will positively be shaping their future in the right direction. **TRY TO AVOID USING LABELS** Anxiety can be difficult and debilitating, but labelling a child according to any given condition can be dangerous. It can lead to your child believing that they are their condition, which can inhibit or slow their recovery. Your child is "overcoming anxiety", "managing anxiety" or, in serious cases, "living with anxiety" (as opposed to suffering, which has negative connotations). Your child should not be anchored by something they didn’t ask for but is something they can learn skills to cope with and sometimes avoid. Want to find out how Life Skills GO can help your school understand and achieve your wellbeing goals?   --- ### [BOOK A DEMO WITH OUR TEAM](https://www.lifeskillsgo.com/request-demo) Book a personalised meeting with our product specialists, to will show you how Life Skills GO can help you achieve your school's wellbeing goals. We will guide you through a short interactive demo and answer any questions to help you determine if Life Skills GO is right for your school.  #### [And get started with your FREE TRIAL today](https://www.lifeskillsgo.com/en-au/life-skills-go-free-trial)   Start collecting valuable, student driven data with **[Life Skills GO](https://www.lifeskillsgo.com/go)**, an easy-to-use emotion and wellbeing data collection tool, designed in collaboration with educators, that measures student readiness to learn, and is supported with a comprehensive library of evidence-based and curriculum aligned resources and adaptive lessons to foster wellbeing and social and emotional literacy.   --- #### Additional Resources - [FREE WEBINARS: Find our more and register to attend one of our upcoming webinars](https://www.lifeskillsgo.com/webinars)  - [Case Studies: Hear from the schools that are finding success with Life Skills GO](https://www.lifeskillsgo.com/case-studies) - [A 1 Minute Video: How Life Skills GO can help you make informed wellbeing data decisions](https://www.lifeskillsgo.com/hubfs/Nikki%20CEO%20Life%20Skills%20GO%20intro.mp4) - [Download a FREE 32 page resource guide to teaching emotions](https://www.lifeskillsgo.com/free-guide-to-teaching-emotions-0) - [Free wellbeing resources to get started with - activities, workbooks and games](https://www.lifeskillsgo.com/hubfs/2024%20Resource%20Pack/LSG_2024WellbeingResourcesCombines.pdf) - [**Start your 14 day FREE TRIAL today**](https://www.lifeskillsgo.com/en-au/life-skills-go-free-trial) Topics: [Wellbeing](https://www.lifeskillsgo.com/blog/tag/wellbeing) [Social Skills](https://www.lifeskillsgo.com/blog/tag/social-skills) [Family Resources](https://www.lifeskillsgo.com/blog/tag/family-resources) [Emotional Intelligence](https://www.lifeskillsgo.com/blog/tag/emotional-intelligence) ![blog 2](https://www.lifeskillsgo.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog%202.png?width=863&height=863&name=blog%202.png) #### Life Skills Group Life Skills Group is Australia’s market leader in curriculum-based social emotional and physical learning programs for students and educators. [![](https://www.lifeskillsgo.com/hubfs/Life%20Skills%20Group/Resources/left-arrow.png) Previous: 3 Ways to Create a Calmer Classroom ](https://www.lifeskillsgo.com/blog/3-ways-to-create-a-calmer-classroom) [Next: 5 Tips To Kick Off A New Term With A Positive Mind ![](https://www.lifeskillsgo.com/hubfs/Life%20Skills%20Group/Resources/right-arrow.png)](https://www.lifeskillsgo.com/blog/5-tips-to-kick-off-a-new-term-with-a-positive-mind) ##### Share with your network - ** - ** - ** - ** - [** ](mailto:?subject=6+Ways+To+Reduce+Anxiety+in+Children&body=Thought%20you'd%20find%20this%20interesting:%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.lifeskillsgo.com%2Fblog%2F6-ways-to-reduce-anxiety-in-children) [X](https://www.lifeskillsgo.com/blog/6-ways-to-reduce-anxiety-in-children#) × ##### Related Resources Monday 27 January 2025 ##### [7 Simple Ways Educators Can Prioritise Their Wellbeing and Thrive This Year](https://www.lifeskillsgo.com/blog/7-simple-ways-educators-can-prioritise-their-wellbeing-and-thrive-this-year) [Wellbeing](https://www.lifeskillsgo.com/blog/tag/wellbeing) [Social Skills](https://www.lifeskillsgo.com/blog/tag/social-skills) [Family Resources](https://www.lifeskillsgo.com/blog/tag/family-resources) [Emotional Intelligence](https://www.lifeskillsgo.com/blog/tag/emotional-intelligence) Tuesday 17 December 2024 ##### [7 Ways to Nurture Young Minds Over the School Holidays Without Spending a Cent](https://www.lifeskillsgo.com/blog/7-ways-to-nurture-young-minds-over-the-school-holidays-without-spending-a-cent) [Wellbeing](https://www.lifeskillsgo.com/blog/tag/wellbeing) [Social Skills](https://www.lifeskillsgo.com/blog/tag/social-skills) [Family Resources](https://www.lifeskillsgo.com/blog/tag/family-resources) [Emotional Intelligence](https://www.lifeskillsgo.com/blog/tag/emotional-intelligence) Sunday 15 December 2024 ##### [Retrospective: Celebrating the Incredible Work You’ve Done This Year](https://www.lifeskillsgo.com/blog/retrospective-celebrating-the-incredible-work-youve-done-this-year) [Wellbeing](https://www.lifeskillsgo.com/blog/tag/wellbeing) [Social Skills](https://www.lifeskillsgo.com/blog/tag/social-skills) [Family Resources](https://www.lifeskillsgo.com/blog/tag/family-resources) [Emotional Intelligence](https://www.lifeskillsgo.com/blog/tag/emotional-intelligence) Wednesday 4 December 2024 ##### [Emotions: The Hidden Driver of Student Behaviour](https://www.lifeskillsgo.com/blog/emotions-the-hidden-driver-of-student-behaviour) [Wellbeing](https://www.lifeskillsgo.com/blog/tag/wellbeing) [Social Skills](https://www.lifeskillsgo.com/blog/tag/social-skills) [Family Resources](https://www.lifeskillsgo.com/blog/tag/family-resources) [Emotional Intelligence](https://www.lifeskillsgo.com/blog/tag/emotional-intelligence) Wednesday 27 November 2024 ##### [Prioritising Teacher Wellbeing Alongside Student Wellbeing](https://www.lifeskillsgo.com/blog/prioritising-teacher-wellbeing-alongside-student-wellbeing) [Wellbeing](https://www.lifeskillsgo.com/blog/tag/wellbeing) [Social Skills](https://www.lifeskillsgo.com/blog/tag/social-skills) [Family Resources](https://www.lifeskillsgo.com/blog/tag/family-resources) [Emotional Intelligence](https://www.lifeskillsgo.com/blog/tag/emotional-intelligence) Wednesday 20 November 2024 ##### [3 Things to do Today to Start Next Year Well](https://www.lifeskillsgo.com/blog/3-things-to-do-today-to-start-next-year-well) [Wellbeing](https://www.lifeskillsgo.com/blog/tag/wellbeing) [Social Skills](https://www.lifeskillsgo.com/blog/tag/social-skills) [Family Resources](https://www.lifeskillsgo.com/blog/tag/family-resources) [Emotional Intelligence](https://www.lifeskillsgo.com/blog/tag/emotional-intelligence) Wednesday 13 November 2024 ##### [7 Tips to Support Tired Students (and Educators) in Schools](https://www.lifeskillsgo.com/blog/7-tips-to-support-tired-students-and-educators-in-schools) [Wellbeing](https://www.lifeskillsgo.com/blog/tag/wellbeing) [Social Skills](https://www.lifeskillsgo.com/blog/tag/social-skills) [Family Resources](https://www.lifeskillsgo.com/blog/tag/family-resources) [Emotional Intelligence](https://www.lifeskillsgo.com/blog/tag/emotional-intelligence) Tuesday 5 November 2024 ##### [A Snapshot of Student Emotions in 2024](https://www.lifeskillsgo.com/blog/a-snapshot-of-student-emotions-in-2024) [Wellbeing](https://www.lifeskillsgo.com/blog/tag/wellbeing) [Social Skills](https://www.lifeskillsgo.com/blog/tag/social-skills) [Family Resources](https://www.lifeskillsgo.com/blog/tag/family-resources) [Emotional Intelligence](https://www.lifeskillsgo.com/blog/tag/emotional-intelligence) Wednesday 23 October 2024 ##### [3 Tips for Planning Wellbeing](https://www.lifeskillsgo.com/blog/3-tips-for-planning-wellbeing) [Wellbeing](https://www.lifeskillsgo.com/blog/tag/wellbeing) [Social Skills](https://www.lifeskillsgo.com/blog/tag/social-skills) [Family Resources](https://www.lifeskillsgo.com/blog/tag/family-resources) [Emotional Intelligence](https://www.lifeskillsgo.com/blog/tag/emotional-intelligence) ## Helping our children thrive [![Get Quote  ](https://hubspot-no-cache-ap1-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/default/4596264/e48f28f4-03dc-4f86-975f-a58416ca2697.png)](https://hubspot-cta-redirect-ap1-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/redirect/4596264/e48f28f4-03dc-4f86-975f-a58416ca2697) [![REQUEST PROGRAM INFO  ](https://hubspot-no-cache-ap1-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/default/4596264/2a14e55d-4e90-47c8-9439-6cdb5efbbf9f.png)](https://hubspot-cta-redirect-ap1-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/redirect/4596264/2a14e55d-4e90-47c8-9439-6cdb5efbbf9f) ##### Join The Community [X](https://www.lifeskillsgo.com/blog/6-ways-to-reduce-anxiety-in-children#) ![-_LSGO LOGO MASTER_NO KIDS_STACKED_FC](https://www.lifeskillsgo.com/hs-fs/hubfs/-_LSGO%20LOGO%20MASTER_NO%20KIDS_STACKED_FC.png?width=37&height=34&name=-_LSGO%20LOGO%20MASTER_NO%20KIDS_STACKED_FC.png) © **LIFE SKILLS GO.** All rights reserved.[Privacy Policy](https://www.lifeskillsgroup.com.au/privacy-policy) - - - - - -