IN SEASON
Exercise. Those endorphins are especially powerful in helping ward off anxiety in kids. Make sure they’ re getting plenty of time to run around outside and get some sun, is a great way to release energy and angst.
Limit Screen time. Too much screen time has been linked with anxiety. But screen time can contribute to anxiety also because of the content. It’ s hard to monitor what your child is watching, especially if they’ re choosing content on YouTube. And sometimes kids get frightened and anxious by what they see for reasons that aren’ t always obvious.
Maintain familiarity. Embarking on new adventures and trying out different camps while making new friends can be eventful and fulfilling. But constant newness and transitions where new faces, rules, expectations, and skill-sets are being introduced can make even the most well adjusted child fraught with some anxiety and result in meltdowns. If childcare is necessary throughout all of summer, try to maintain at least some familiarity for your child, whether it’ s enrolling them in the same camp for several weeks or finding some friends to embark on new adventures with.
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