raring2go.co.uk 9 Raring2go! BRIGHT EMOTIONS Ah, the Summer holidays are coming to an end. Parents often rejoice at the thought of not having to come up with the thousandth idea of what the children can do or having to provide them with the millionth snack. But not every child is looking forward to heading back and some may feel very anxious about their return. We caught up with Sophie Whelan from Bright Emotions, a not-for-profit organisation who support family and childrenís wellbeing to see what advice she had to give if your child is feeling a little nervous. When children experience anxiety, their bodies respond as if they’re facing a threat, activating the fight, flight, or freeze response. It’s important to understand this reaction so that we can help them regain a sense of calm. So, what happens during the fight, flight, freeze response? The brainís amygdala acts like an alarm, signaling potential danger. This survival response releases cortisol and adrenaline, preparing the body to react. However, sometimes this response is triggered unnecessarily. For children, some common triggers include: • Transitions (changing activities or environments) • Sensory overload • Hunger or thirst • Unexpected changes • Lack of connection with thers When a child is deeply stressed, their emotional brain takes control, and their logical brain shuts down, making it difficult for them to respond calmly or rationally. There are a few ways you can help someone in that moment including: 1. Acknowledge and Validate Emotions Recognise and name their feelings, let them know that itís okay to feel anxious and they are safe. For example, “I see you’re feeling worried about going to school. It’s okay to feel that way, I’m here to help.” 2. Stay Calm and Soothing Maintaining your own calmness is crucial, though challenging. Be mindful of your breathing, tone, and body language, as your demeanor can help regulate your child. 3. Encourage Healthy Expression Sometimes, big emotions are hard to express verbally. Encourage your child to draw, write, or even move (like stretching or dancing) to release their feelings. Make it playful and fun, adding humour can help to deescalate.† I’d also suggest looking at some ongoing support strategies with your child and your family. Here are some of the ways in which you could do this: 1. Discuss Physical (body) Signals Help your child recognize signs of anxiety, such as stomach aches, headaches, tightness in the chest, shaky legs, or a racing heart. Understanding that these signals are part of the bodyís natural response can make anxiety more manageable. 2. Create Outlets for Expression Provide tools like a worry monster or a journal where your child can express their fears. Set aside regular time to talk about and work through these worries together. 3. Teach Calming Techniques Practice breathing exercises, mindfulness, and grounding techniques with your child (when they are regulated). These skills will help them manage anxiety and build self-awareness. Itís important to remember that the goal isn’t to eliminate anxiety but to help your child manage it. Equipping them with coping strategies will prepare them to handle stress and challenges throughout life. Bright Emotions is a not-forprofit charity who encourage the wellbeing of children and families through creative and therapeutic interventions. They hold a series of therapeutic programmes to help support families at their bright hub in Renhold and also offer 1-2-1 services in a school setting. For more info: visit www. brightemotions.co.uk Navigating going back to school worries
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NDA0NjA=