Does your child suffer from anxiety?

Ciara Moynihan

Little ones can so easily feel overwhelmed. The world throws so much at their young minds that they can become unsettled and unsure of themselves. A single scary event or a series of challenges can lead to anxieties creeping in, sometimes crippling their young lives and their relationships to the people around them. The past few years of Covid lockdowns have brought along their own set of challenges for young people too.
The Irish Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Children and author, illustrator and art psychotherapist Katie O’Donoghue have come together to hold a series of free webinars for parents and teachers aimed at helping them cope with and support anxious children. The next, on April 25 from 7pm to 8pm, is designed for parents.
Those who take part will learn skills and strategies for children between five and 12 years of age who are feeling anxious and who would benefit from a boost in confidence to strengthen their resilience.   
 The ISPCC has particular insight into what is worrying children and young people in Ireland; its workers know what is on their minds and how to support them, and ISPCC parenting leads will be taking part in the webinar.
Katie O’Donoghue’s first book, ‘The Little Squirrel Who Worried’, tells the tale of a squirrel who hasn’t left his nest since last autumn. He needs to gather nuts for the long winter to come but he’s too worried to leave his cosy nest. Eventually his forest friends’ words of encouragement and advice help him venture out. While reading about Squirrel’s adventures, young readers learn coping techniques and to realise that ‘although we all feel worried sometimes, we don’t have to face those worries alone’.
Her second book, ‘The Little Otter Who  Tried’, has recently been published by Gill Books.   Beautifully illustrated, it tells the story of an otter who was too scared to swim on her own but gets help from her riverside friends. It aims to teach children about self-care, resilience and how to ask for help – vital and valuable lessons that will be covered during the webinar. The idea is for participants to gain a better understanding of resilience, get to know the coping skills needed to support children and be equipped with a toolkit of resources.  
Next month will see a webinar for teaching professionals. Taking place on May 9, from 3pm to 3.30pm, it will cover both building resilience and managing anxiety. Participants who register on ispcc.ie will also be in with a chance to win a signed copy of ‘The Little Otter Who Tried’.  
The ISPCC provides a suite of Childline services and supports for children and young people up to and including those aged 18 years of age.  Childline’s 24-hour support line can be contacted for free, 365 days a year 24/7.  Children can chat online at childline.ie or call 1800 66 66 66.  The charity also provides services, supports and programmes for parents/carers and those working or volunteering in child and youth settings like schools, clubs and crèches.