Talking to an anxious child about their anxiety is harder than it sounds. The conversation can help – building understanding, reducing shame, opening the door to strategies. Or it can make things worse, amplifying the anxiety or cementing an anxious identity. Here is how to do it well.

Child anxiety vs normal worry is one of the most important distinctions a parent can understand. They look similar on the surface – both involve a child being worried about something – but they are driven by different mechanisms and require different responses. Getting this right makes a significant difference to how you help.