These have been — and continue to be — anxiety-provoking times. Many families feel the lingering impact of the pandemic, heavy world events, social change, and the influence of the online world. Protecting kids from adult worry isn’t always possible, and many children experience health-based anxiety, school-based anxiety, social anxiety, and general anxiety.
Here are six things kids who experience anxiety want you to know.
1) I am not an anxious kid — I am separate from anxiety.
Labels like “anxious kid” or “worried kid” can shape identity. Instead, help children understand that worry/anxiety is a feeling visiting them — and that it can be explored.
2) I’m not sure these feelings will ever leave.
Remind kids that feelings are temporary. They come — and they often go — even when they feel intense.
3) I need to see that you can handle my feelings.
Kids feel safer when adults respond consistently, with steady non-verbal cues and words that match. They need to know they can cry, tantrum, or show fear without being dismissed or rejected.
4) I’m learning how to name my feelings.
Help kids by naming what you see. A feelings wheel can expand emotional vocabulary and reduce confusion.
5) I’m learning how to cope — I need help.
Kids learn by watching how adults cope, and by how adults respond when kids have big feelings.
6) I love play and imagination to help me work with feelings.
Fun, creative approaches can make coping feel accessible. Ideas include:
- Open a window and “shoo” the fear out
- Use a fan and “blow” the worry away
- Blow bubbles and put the “fear thought” into a bubble, then pop it
- For older kids: write worries down and rip them up, or keep them in a “worry jar”
- On a swing: imagine worry shooting out of your feet toward the sky
Takeaway: When adults respond with steadiness, curiosity, and play, kids feel safer expressing anxiety — and more capable learning to manage it.
By understanding these six points, parents can create a supportive environment where children feel safe to express anxiety and learn to work with their feelings effectively.