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Anxiety and worries can come in all shapes, forms and sizes, and can be triggered by a wide range of factors, linked to friendships, relationships, family life, school, work, expectations, health and many other things.

Supporting Children with Anxiety

We all have the capacity to manage anxiety but it takes practice, time, dedication, and resilience, and it can be a matter of trial and error before we find a strategy or series of hacks that work for us.

Methods

CBT – Cognitive Behaviour Therapy forms a large part of this course. You’ll recognise some well-known and well-regarded strategies and tools taken from this model, however it has been remodelled for a younger audience. Resources are child-friendly and designed for parents to work through, alongside their children. Everything is practical, easy to access and can be used straight away. Resources are provided digitally for downloading and printing, and lots of support is given to understand how to use these tools effectively.

Duration

We offer this course as a 5 or 6-week programme. Each session is 2hrs in duration, which are delivered weekly.

Who is it for?

This course is for ANY and ALL parents who have children aged 7 – 13 years. We run parent-only courses and we also run course where both parents and children attend together.

Group Size

Groups of up to 10 parents work really well. We also offer 1:1 sessions as and when required.

How will I learn?

This course is interactive and practical, which means there’ll be lots of opportunity to discuss your own circumstances and how the strategies and tools could be used with your own family. There are opportunities to practise in pairs and groups, and complete worksheets either in preparation for use at home, or real discussions alongside children to start practising the methods in a supportive environment, with guidance from the trainer.

1. Understanding Anxiety

In this session, parents will:

  • Get to know each other and share experiences;
  • Learning some grounding techniques
  • Learn about the characteristics of anxiety;
  • Learn about the causes of anxiety;
  • Understand the ‘cycle of anxiety’.

Children will:

  • Practise grounding techniques;
  • Identify and talk about their worry;
  • Learn how to talk about and articulate worries – effective language.
2. Managing Anxiety

In this session we’ll look at:

  • Learning further grounding techniques;
  • Learn how to manage worries;
  • Explore ways to support, engage and help children with worries;
  • Consider how to challenge anxious thoughts

Children will:

  • Practise grounding techniques;
  • Explore their triggers and safety behaviours;
  • Learn about fight, flight or freeze.
3. Changing Perspective

In this session, we look at:

  • Grounding techniques
  • A recap of learning so far in the course;
  • Cushion stacking – a method for unburdening worries;
  • Explore the use of coping cards
  • reframing, rethinking and getting perspective.

Children will:

  • Consider alternative perspectives;
  • Rethink and rephrase their worries;
  • Practise cushion stacking
4. Mindfulness & Coaching

In this session, we will:

  • Reflect on the grounding techniques learnt so far;
  • Practise mindfulness techniques;
  • Learn effective coaching techniques.

Children will:

  • Practise grounding techniques;
  • practise being coached with their parents.
5. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)

In this session we will:

  • Practise further grounding techniques;
  • Learn about and use Socratic Questioning;
  • Put ‘thoughts on trial’
  • Learn how to use ‘CBT for Children’.

Children will:

  • Practise grounding techniques;
  • Practise putting ‘thoughts on trial’;
  • Use Socratic Questioning;
  • Practise a deep breathing technique.
  • Any other parenting-related themes, topics or questions.
6. Creative Exploration

In this session we will:

  • Use Mandalas as a calming technique;
  • Recap and reflect on learning so far;
  • Read and discuss Grobblechops (an anxiety book for children);
  • Explore themes from the book as a means for discussing anxiety with children.

Children will:

  • Use Mandalas for calming and reflect on their effectiveness;
  • Read and explore themes in Grobblechops book;
  • Draw and discuss worries within the context of the book;
  • Evaluate the course and make a plan.
Is there a cost?

No, this course is totally free. We secure funding from elsewhere to remove any financial barriers to parents taking part.

Do I need to attend the whole course?

Yes, ideally. We build on the learning each week to create a package of tools you can use at home. However, each week’s tools work well as a stand-alone, so if you can only take part in one or two you’ll have some useful resources to use with your children.

Where does it take place?

We deliver our courses in the community. This means we find a venue near you, usually in a school or community centre. We also deliver this course online.

How do I access the resources?
Yes, we’ll make sure you have access to all the relevant reading material. This is usually achieved by providing paper copies during the sessions and/or emailing copies to you after each session.
How do I know the contents of the course works?

All the tools we use, practice and share are tried and tested and adult versions can be accessed from websites such as therapyaid.com. We have created child and family-friendly versions to make these tools more accessible and therefore more practical.

Is there anything I need to bring to the sessions?

Not really. You can bring a pen and paper if you would like to make notes as you go, however, we’ll make sure you have access to everything we produce in the sessions as well as the presentation slides and reading materials.

I don't have a tablet or laptop. Can I join using my phone?

We run this course both face-to-face and online. If you attend a face-to-face course, you don’t need any technology at all.

If you’re attending a course online, whilst it’s possible to join and take part in the course using just a mobile phone, you’ll find your experience is improved if you use a tablet, laptop or desktop computer.

The bigger the screen the better the experience. Plenty of parents do take part using their phone, however.

You might be able to use a computer in your child’s school, children’s centre or community centre, so we suggest asking it that’s possible.

Sessions: 5 – 6

Duration: 2 hours

Delivery: Online or face-to-face