Children’s book about anxiety (5+List)
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The Optimistminds editorial team is made up of psychologists, psychiatrists and mental health professionals. Each article is written by a team member with exposure to and experience in the subject matter. The article then gets reviewed by a more senior editorial member. This is someone with extensive knowledge of the subject matter and highly cited published material.
In this guide, we will discuss anxiety in children and which books are perfect for them to understand anxiety.
Children’s book about anxiety
Everyone at some time in life will experience or experience symptoms related to anxiety.
It is normal to have a little anxiety because it fulfils the function of alternating over a threatening or dangerous situation.
Anxiety affects people negatively when it has high levels and interrupts daily activities.
Anxiety can affect anyone and at any time.
It is true that there are people who have a greater tendency to have anxiety or some anxiety disorder, but usually to a lesser or greater degree everyone experiences or has experienced anxiety.
When we talk about everyone, we include children who do experience anxiety in different ways.
The reasons why a child may manifest anxiety may be different from those of an adult.
Many times, being very young, children do not have the same capacity as an adult to handle anxiety.
They only express it, but they cannot control what they feel.
Explaining to a child about anxiety is not the same as an adult.
Various procedures are needed so that they can understand the process it is going through.
Children can be taught about anxiety and techniques to manage it in many ways such as the story, drawings or specific activities.
Today there is a wide range of children’s book about anxiety so that they can learn more about anxiety in a way that they can assimilate it.
Learning through stories and games is one of the easiest ways of learning for children since they are in a stage where they just want to do this kind of activities.
These children’s book about anxiety through various systems of representations seek to educate and entertain the child about anxiety, which is an advantage since if from a young age the child is oriented about what anxiety consists of, he may be able to cope better situations in the future that may lead to anxiety.
Research even suggests that therapist supplemented bibliotherapy could provide an efficacious treatment option for families isolated from traditional treatment services. Here, we have listed some of the best CBT books you can use to improve anxiety.
Anxiety in children
Anxiety can be defined as a response given by the body to a threatening or dangerous situation.
How anxiety manifests itself in adults is not the same as in children.
While it is true that both show similar symptoms the reasons are different.
The fear of the dark, of a monster or of not being close to its parents can unleash the child to experience high levels of anxiety.
The child is afraid and worried, it doesn’t know what will happen and it just wants to feel protected.
The child does not know what anxiety is, but the symptoms it shows are characteristic of this condition.
Children over time may lose their fear of those things that once caused them concern, but others only manage to strengthen that feeling more.
The advantage in this is that anxiety treatments are very effective in more than 90%.
For both the adult and the child who has it, you can trust that anxiety can decrease to levels that allow you to continue your life in a normal way.
If your child is struggling with anxiety, get one of these cuties home for them to have as a pet.
Causes for which a child suffers anxiety
The causes for which a child manifests feeling anxiety can be very different from those expressed by an adult.
One of the causes that can lead a child to have anxiety is when he separates from his parents.
The child only trusts its parents and some close people and when it sees itself in environments where it is far from these people it can feel fearful and worried.
The child cries inconsolably as a way to communicate what it feels.
It is common for children entering school for the first time to experience anxiety.
They were used to being surrounded by their parents for a long time and seeing that from one moment to the next they are not with them and they are around people they do not know generates anxiety.
Another reason why a child may have anxiety is due to social phobia.
Some children are afraid to interact with others and prefer to avoid contact. When a child who has social phobia is around others, he or she can be inhibited from talking or doing something.
Also within the causes is that the child has a generalized anxiety disorder.
People with generalized anxiety, in the case of children, feel great concern due to the qualifications they can get in school or health-related things.
Symptoms of anxiety in children
The symptoms of anxiety in children are some similar to what an adult may manifest. Some of the most common are:
- Nervousness
- Excessive worry
- Excessive sweating
- Difficulty breathing
- Dizziness
- Muscle tension
- Self-esteem problems
- Negative thoughts
- Concentration problems
- Sensitivity
Some children’s book about anxiety
Children’s books about anxiety are intended to educate children about anxiety so that these children from a very early age can understand how their emotions act and identify any discomfort such as anxiety.
Some of the most recommended children’s books about anxiety are:
How Big Are Your Worries Little Bear? – Jayneen Sanders
Little Bear is a worrier.
He worries about everything! But with Mama Bear’s help, he soon learns his worries are not so big after all.
Through this engaging and beautifully illustrated story, children will learn that everyday worries and fears can be overcome.
It just takes a willingness to share with a helpful listener, and an understanding that making mistakes is how we learn.
Also included are helpful Discussion Questions for parents, caregivers and educators, and extra hints to help children manage anxiety.
This children’s book about anxiety shows how help is crucial for the child to overcome anxiety.
The mama bear teaches him that his worries are not so great after all that motivates the child not to always look for the negative at all.
Hey Warrior – Karen Young
A fantastic book to help children understand what actually happens in their brain when they experience anxiety.
Kids can do amazing things with the right information.
Understanding why anxiety feels the way it does, and where the physical symptoms come from, is a powerful step in turning anxiety around.
This book is an amazing resource for kids 5 years and above who feel anxious and overwhelmed by those feelings.
This children’s book about anxiety highlights the importance of children from an early age understand how their brain works when they have anxiety, this allows them to learn more about how this process occurs.
Wemberly Worried – Kevin Henkes
This book tells the story of a mouse that cares, most notably on the first day of school.
This book would be a good introduction to children when they start school for the first time.
Feeling anxious about going to school is normal and children from the moment they feel it should learn about it.
This children’s book about anxiety is vital during each child’s school process.
What to Do When You Worry Too Much – Dawn Huebner
“What to Do When You Worry Too Much” is an interactive self-help book designed to guide 6-12-year-olds and their parents through the cognitive-behavioural techniques most often used in the treatment of generalized anxiety.
Engaging, encouraging, and easy to follow, this book educates, motivates, and empowers children to work towards change.
It includes a note to parents.
A children’s book about anxiety focuses on techniques to reduce anxiety.
Help Your Dragon Deal with Anxiety – Steve Herman
This book focuses on the story of a child and a dragon, where the dragon has anxiety and the child helps him eliminate the symptoms of it.
This is a good children’s book about anxiety because it not only highlights anxiety but also the support of others by helping someone solve a situation that causes fear.
It’s Okay to Make Mistakes – Todd Parr
This book, suitable for younger children, embraces life’s happy accidents, the mistakes and mess-ups that can lead to self-discovery.
Todd Parr brings a timely theme to life with his signature bold, kid-friendly illustrations and a passion for making readers feel good about themselves, encouraging them to try new things, experiment, and dare to explore new paths.
This children’s book about anxiety invites reflection and it is not wrong to make mistakes.
In life, kids learn from the mistakes we make and many times children can feel guilty for things that have not gone well.
Side Note: I have tried and tested various products and services to help with my anxiety and depression. See my top recommendations here, as well as a full list of all products and services our team has tested for various mental health conditions and general wellness.
What we recommend for curbing Anxiety
Below are some of the services and products we recommend for anxiety
Online Therapy
- Online therapy is another thing we should all try. We highly recommend Online therapy with a provider who not only provides therapy but a complete mental health toolbox to help your wellness.
Anxiety Weighted Blankets
- Anxiety Weighted Blankets are by far the number 1 thing every person who suffers from anxiety should at least try. Anxiety Blankets may improve your sleep, allow you to fall asleep faster and you can even carry them around when chilling at home.
Light Therapy
- Amber light therapy from Amber lights could increase the melatonin production in your body and help you sleep better at night. An Amber light lamp helps reduce the amount of time it takes you to fall asleep and increases overall sleep quality.
FAQs about children’s book about anxiety
Can I give my child medication for anxiety?
If the medicine you are going to give your child has been prescribed by a health professional, it is correct to give it.
But if in this case, you are thinking of buying an over-the-counter medication it is not recommended to do so.
Anxiety medications should be taken only if a person in the health area has prescribed them.
Can a child inherit anxiety?
A child may be more likely to develop anxiety if some of his parents have had it.
Anxiety and various mental disorders have a hereditary factor.
Is it normal for my child to cry a lot on its first day of school?
Yes. Children are going through an adaptation process and it takes time to assimilate that a school is also a safe place.
What treatments are used to work anxiety in children?
Psychological treatments have proven to give good results to reduce anxiety levels.
It is important that, in case of suspicion, go to a health centre that has psychological services.
How do I help my child overcome anxiety?
You must have a lot of patience since a child does not assimilate in the same way as an adult, allow your kid to express its feelings and give a lot of support.
Make your kid understand that what it is going through is not going to last forever and that it is normal to feel this way sometimes.
Conclusion
Anxiety in children is a frequent occurrence and many times they do not know how to deal with symptoms.
It is important the support of both parents and teachers to help the child feel comfortable and able to adapt to situations.
Children’s books about anxiety are a fun way to educate and let the child know where their emotions come from.
Recommended links
- What to Do When You Worry Too Much: A Kid’s Guide to Overcoming Anxiety (What-to-Do Guides for Kids) (What-to-Do Guides for Kids (R))
- Freeing Your Child from Anxiety: Powerful, Practical Solutions to Overcome Your Child’s Fears, Worries, and Phobias
- The Anxiety Workbook for Kids: Take Charge of Fears and Worries Using the Gift of Imagination
- Children’s Worry Book: A mindful journal for young people with short stories and activities
References
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