In this, you will read :
- Understand the Root Cause of Anxiety
- Create a Safe and Comforting Environment
- Use Breathing Techniques and Relaxation Exercises
- Introduce Soothing Sensory Activities (Sensory Activities for Kids)
- Practice Positive Reinforcement
- Teach Self-Regulation Through Stories or Role-Playing
- Seek Professional Help When Needed
7 Effective Ways to Calm an Anxious Toddler
Is your child feeling anxious? Know these 7 effective ways by which your child will feel comfortable and you will be able to provide a secure environment to your child!
Being a parent is a very adventurous journey for a little child but when your child feels anxious, the situation becomes quite challenging. Do you know that 20% of children face the problem of anxiety as a toddler but you do not need to worry, you are not alone, we will guide you in this situation. In this blog, we will try to guide you with 7 practical and easy strategies that will help you in making your child feel comfortable. Whether it’s separation anxiety, fear of the dark, or new situations, these tips will be very helpful for you. So let’s get started!
1. Understand the Root Cause of Anxiety
It is important to understand the reasons for children’s anxiety.
Anxiety problems have become quite common in toddlers, but children are different and their problems are also different. In the first step, we have to try to understand what is causing your child’s problems and stress.
Common triggers that increase anxiety in toddlers:
Separation anxiety: This problem occurs when children live away from their parents and they start feeling insecure. In this, when parents leave their children at daycare and go to the office, then many children have this problem.
Overstimulation: Too much noise, crowds, or bright lights can be overwhelming for toddlers.
Change in routine: Anything that changes in a child’s life, such as moving their home or school, can change the balance of their emotional lives, causing them to feel anxious.
How to understand what is bothering your child?
Observe: Pay attention to your child’s daily emotional mood swings, such as if he or she is becoming overly clingy in a situation or is becoming sad, does he or she chew or withdraw? Pay attention to that.
Talking to them: Even if their vocabulary is limited, encourage them to express their emotions. Ask simple questions like “What are you afraid of?” or “Are you upset?”
Focus on body language: If children’s heartbeats are increasing, they’re folding their hands in front of you to stop something, or they’re too shy, these could be signs of anxiety.
Role of Empathy in Toddler Anxiety
You have to understand your children’s feelings and listen to their words which will reduce their anxiety. For example, when they are telling you something, you can listen to them and say that yes, you understand their point. This will make them feel that their point is being paid attention to and they are not alone.
Accept their fears: Don’t tell them that “there is nothing to be afraid of.” Instead, acknowledge their fear and say, “I am here, and we will solve this problem.”
2.) Create a Safe and Comforting Environment
To reduce the anxiety of children, it is very important to create a safe and comfortable environment for them. For children, small things like spending time with their family have a great impact on their emotional state, so try to make them feel calm. Here are some tips that can turn your home into a calming space:
1. Make the house Toddler-friendly and safe
-You must create such an atmosphere at home that they feel calm and secure with you.
-You should provide a safe and comfortable corner for your child in the house where he can go and relax whenever he is stressed. You can also decorate that place well so that he feels good.
2. Magic of Consistent Routine
-Toddlers find routine quite comforting. Following a fixed schedule every day reduces their anxiety.
-Keep a specific time for meals, playtime, and bedtime. This predictability makes them feel secure.
-Whenever there is a change like your family friend or FIR or a cousin or a trip getting canceled or planned, you should inform the children beforehand so that they are mentally prepared beforehand.
3. Use Soft Lighting and Calming Sounds
-Keep soft and warm light around your children so that they feel calm and comfortable. Bright light and harsh sounds can be stressful for toddlers.
-Use night lamps that provide dim and soothing light, especially at bedtime.
-Playing calming sounds like nature sounds, and soft music can help children relax and keep stress away.
3.) Use Breathing Techniques and Relaxation Exercises
For children who face anxiety problems, breathing exercises are very effective and important. This exercise also improves their emotional regulation. It not only reduces their anxiety but also improves their health due to breathing. Come, let’s explore some easy and fun breathing techniques that you can try with your toddler!
Simple Breathing Exercises You Can Teach Your Toddler
Bubble Breathing
Bubble breathing is a very effective technique for toddlers that can be used as a breeding exercise. You can imagine your child making glowing bubbles. Ask your child to take gentle, deep breaths and then guide them to do it slowly and try to “bubble blow”. This will help them feel calm and focused.
Belly Breathing
In this technique, you ask your child to take a toy and place it on his belly and as he inhales, show him that the toy is going up and as he excels it will go down. This way you can teach him deep breathing interactively and visually. This is a fun activity for him.
Balloon Breathing
In this activity, you ask your child to imagine that he is a beautiful balloon and ask him to look at his tummy. His tummy will “inflate” like a balloon and as he exhales the balloon will “deflate”. This exercise is very useful for reducing anxiety and improving breathing control.
Fun, Interactive Ways to Make Relaxation Feel Like a Game
Blow the Feather Game
You can give your child proper training for breathing exercise problems by using a lightweight feather or tissue paper so that he/she will calm down.
Smell the Flower, Blow the Candle
Play a pretend game in which the child inhales the fragrance of the flower and blows out the candle by gently exhaling it. This exercise is easy and engaging for toddlers.
Use Breathing Techniques and Relaxation Exercises
4.) Introduce Soothing Sensory Activities (Sensory Activities for Kids)
Toddlers who have anxiety can enjoy sensory activities that will relax them, and make them feel comfortable and happy. Sensory play keeps kids occupied and keeps them away from stress by keeping their minds engaged in games. Here we talk about some sensory activities that you can try with your toddler:
1. Play with Kinetic Sand (Mess-Free Fun):
Kinetic sand is a moldable sand that kids can shape and provides tactile stimulation. When you shape them with your hands, children can feel the force with their hands and reduce their stress by giving them some shapes.
2. playing withWater Beads:
Water beads are slippery and sensory material. They can be very playful for toddlers. When they touch them, they will feel very relaxed. You can put them in a tub and let the children explore. This not only reduces anxiety but also improves their fine motor skills.
3. Use textured toys (Explore different textures):
You can engage your child’s senses by introducing them to different textures. Textured balls, fabric swatches, or sensory mats soothe their minds.
This activity is especially helpful for children who feel overstimulation.
4. Make sensory bottles or calm-down jars:
Sensory bottles are an excellence that you can make at home. Take a transparent bottle in which you can put glitter, beads, water, and sparkle things. When your child feels like playing chess, he can release stress by playing with it and will feel comfortable.
5.) Practice Positive Reinforcement
It is very important to give your toddler positive reinforcement to boost his confidence so that he will feel confident and trust you. For example, you can praise your child’s small efforts which will reduce his anxiety level and he will remain emotionally stable. This is the beginning of developing a healthy habit which is important for his growth and development. As his trust increases, he learns to deal with his anxiety.
Positive Affirmations for Anxious Toddlers
Positive affirmations develop positive thoughts and self-belief in his mind. Make these affirmations part of your daily routine:
“You are safe and I am with you.”
“You are very brave.”
“I am always proud of you.”
“It’s okay to make mistakes, you are learning.”
“I am always there to help you.”
6.) Teach Self-Regulation Through Stories or Role-Playing
You can tell your toddlers stories that will reduce their anxiety and they will feel comfortable, such as “The Rabbit Who Wants to Fall Asleep”. You can tell your children stories that will relax them and help them sleep. These stories teach them how to handle their anxiety and reduce their stress, and this is a great process to calm them down.
Role-playing is also a very good way through which you can manage your children’s anxiety. You can role-play their fears with your children. For example, if your child is afraid of darkness, you can create a situation or story in which you are defeating the darkness in your story. In this way, your child’s fear of their problems will be reduced.
You can teach your children to express their feelings so that they can explain the reason for their stress and we get a chance to help them. This also helps in their emotional growth. You can learn simple phrases like “I’m feeling awful” or “I’m a little scared” which will help them express their emotions.
7.) Seek Professional Help When Needed
Agar aapke bacche anxiety bhi kar rahe hain aur ghar per use Kari Gai koi bhi technic Kam Nahin kar rahi to aapko professional help ki jarurat hai aapko consult karna chahie Kisi professional psychologist se jo aapki better help kar payega. Bacchon ke liye anxiety Ek serious problem hai कभी-कभी unko extra support ki jarurat pad sakti hai jaise ki professional ya pediatrician Jo unhen better deal kar payega.
Signs that Anxiety Might Require Professional Help
Agar aap notice kar rahe ho ki aapke bacche ko regularly anxiety attacks ya anxiety feel ho rahi hai to yah Ek serious problem ho sakte hain ismein aapko professional consult karna chahie yah indicate karta hai ki aapko Ek therapist ki jarurat hai:
Persistent Fear or Worry: Agar aapka toddler har cheez se dar raha hai aur uska anxiety long-term ho gaya hai, jaise ki school jana ya naye logon se milna.
Difficulty in Social Situations: Agar aapka bachcha apne friends ya family members se milne se bhi ghabraata hai.
Physical Symptoms: Kabhi-kabhi anxiety se related physical signs bhi ho sakte hain, jaise tummy aches, headache, ya raat ko neend na aana.
Severe Behavioral Changes: Agar aapka toddler aggressive ho gaya hai, ya phir bohot zyada clingy ho gaya hai.
Conclusion:
Toddler anxiety can be challenging, but remember, it’s a phase you and your little one can overcome together. By using these seven strategies, you’re not just calming their anxiety but also nurturing their emotional growth. Start with small steps, and don’t hesitate to seek help if needed. Parenting is a journey of learning and love—you’ve got this!
Call to Action: Have you tried any of these techniques? Share your experiences in the comments or explore more parenting tips on Hereyuvi !