For our kids, this can be more complicated.
Kids have less ability to regulate their emotions.
Agnesa Papazyan, PsyD.
Igor Alecsander / E+ / Getty
Emotionally resilient kids are also more likely to take healthy risks and solve problems independently, addsDr.
Monika Roots, a child and adolescent psychiatrist in Madison.
Its okay if you fall down in the sandbox or cant read what someone else can.
Failure is how you learn to succeed, she adds.
Having someone they can talk to who will listen without judgment is super important, says Tellone.
It can undermine their confidence and ability to handle their own problems.
If they see their parents coping in healthy ways, they are more likely to do the same.
Im going to do my paced breathing.
Would you like to join me?
Experiment With Different Coping Skills
We all feel and manage emotions differently.
What works for you wont necessarily work for your kid.
Reward Their Efforts
Positive reinforcement can increasemotivationand confidence, making kids more likely to repeat healthy behaviors.
For younger kids, Tract suggests making it a part of a game.
But progress, whether for kids or adults, is seldom a straight line.
Besides, everyone learns at a different pace.
Being patient can create a supportive environment for your kid to learn and improve their coping skills without pressure.
But even those little problems can feel overwhelming to kids facing them.
So it’s important not to minimize their emotions, says Tellone.
Instead, listen intently and respond in a way thatvalidates their feelings.
For instance, I can see youre frustrated.
What do you think can help you feel better?
Similarly, its important to remember that kids go through rapidhormonal changesduring adolescence.
This can significantly impact how tweens and teens experience and manage their emotions, says Tellone.
That said, its okay to occasionally point out if you notice they are acting differently or seem off.
Addressing Specific Challenges With Coping Skills
Different situations demand different coping strategies.
Other coping skills to tackle academic stress include:
Dr.
Roots also recommends encouraging kids to organize their study area for better focus and less anxiety.
Social Anxiety
Practice social skills together through role-playing or games, suggests Jones.
She also recommends doing grounding exercises before and during social interactions.
Like, taking deep breaths, sucking on sour candy, touching something cold, or using fidget rings.
It may also help to take breaks during stressful social situations, adds Jones.
Avoid speaking in an authoritative or accusatory tone as it can make them feel pressured or defensive.
Instead, be gentle and ask open-ended questions.
Answer any questions they may have calmly and reassuringly, she adds.
Also, consider creating a calm corner in your home, suggests Dr. Use picture cards and videos to help them identify and label emotions.
For kids with visual impairment, consider tactile prompts, guided hand movements, storytelling, and rhymes.
Forkids with ADHD, its important to keep sessions short and interactive.
They may also need more frequent encouragement and concrete cueing like sticker charts, says Dr. Mannis.
They are only meant to support their well-being.
Teaching these skills is an ongoing process that requires patience, consistency, and leading by example.
The payoff is invaluable, though.
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