Listen First, Fix Later: A Guide To Unlocking Your Child’s Hidden Anxieties

When it comes to the mental health of children and young people, anxiety is a major issue that we need to pay close attention to.

Adults should focus on being curious rather than making quick assumptions about what’s going on.

When adults ask gentle questions and listen, children feel safe to share hidden worries, which helps us support them with real understanding.

When adults stay calm and non-confrontational, children feel safe and understood, making them more likely to share their feelings.

If the children know you will listen with understanding instead of criticism, they feel more comfortable asking for and accepting help.

It can be hard for a child to understand or explain what they are feeling when they are anxious, especially if they are young.

One can help by gently suggesting words for their feelings, like ‘worried’, ‘overwhelmed’, or ‘frustrated’. Letting the young know it’s okay to feel this way and that their feelings are normal.

Listening and accepting children’s emotions, rather than dismissing them, helps kids feel safe and encourages them to open up more

Let the child share at their own pace. If you rush them or push for answers, they may not want to talk.

Give the young ones time to pause and let them know it’s okay to take as much time as they want. Taking things slowly helps them feel safe and supported.

Wait until the child is calm before offering solutions. If they’re upset, first focus on helping them feel safe and understood.

Once the young one seems more settled, one can gently talk together about fixing things. Working out possible steps as a team, instead of telling them what to do, helps build their confidence and resilience.

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