Month: May 2021

Anxiety can affect people of all ages but it can be particularly difficult to recognise in children as it unlikely that they will have the vocabulary to explain their feelings. Some children may be aware that they feel “different” and try to hide their feelings or emotions, exasperating the problem. Of course, feeling anxious or worried from time to time is normal, but it needs to be addressed if it lasts for a sustained period. As the top kindergarten in Bangkok, we always monitor children’s behaviour to spot if they feel anxious. The early it is recognised, the earlier it can be treated. In many cases, this will be some reassurance and putting some perspective back on an issue. However, if anxiety starts becoming noticeable in behaviour and it affects their everyday thought process, which, in turn, will impact the home, social and school life, professional help may be required. What are the symptoms of anxiety in children? As a parent, you are the one who is perfectly positioned to monitor changes in your child’s behaviour. However, it is equally common for parents to dismiss their concerns, believing that they are overprotective. Children are likely to feel embarrassed by their feelings, so they will try to hide them where possible. Common behavioural changes that parents and teachers should look out for include: Problems with concentration – it is a concern when there appears to be no reason for poor concentration, such as outside distractions Poor sleeping patterns – we can all suffer from mild cases of insomnia on occasions, but if your child is struggling to get to sleep or is frequently waking up during the night, it is generally a sign that something is troubling them. Often disturbed nights are accompanied by nightmares which may help explain the root cause of the anxiety Changes in appetite – anyone who is struggling with anxiety may experience changes in their appetite. It can be both a loss of appetite or increased eating potentially of junk food as a source of comfort Heightened sense of worry or experience negative thoughts – constantly worrying or continually being negative about themselves or situations is always something that should start alarm bells ringing. While some people naturally worry or are less optimistic than others, it not normal for it to be excessive Increased bouts of anger or irritability – children who are experiencing stress or anxiety are likely to be shorter tempered and more irritable than usual. Some of the outbursts may appear to be out of control and out of character. It can often be closely linked to tiredness but is a sign that should not be overlooked Visible signs of tenseness or excessive fidgeting – being tense or fidgeting a lot is a common sign of anxiety. Sometimes people may be unaware what they doing, while other signs, such as visiting the toilet on numerous occasions, can be a coping mechanism Constant crying – if your child has started crying without apparent reason, it can often be a sign of anxiety Becoming clingy – younger children, in particular, can worry if they are too far from their parents, but unusual clinginess is a sign that they a worried about something and are looking to you for protection or reassurance Complaining of feeling unwell –when children claim to be feeling unwell but are presenting no signs of illness, it frequently a sign of anxiety. They may be complaining of “tummy aches”, which could be “butterflies”, a common symptom of nerves Younger children tend to feel separation anxiety, whereas older and children, especially teenagers, tend to be more worried about their peers, how they are perceived, or their schooling, known as social anxiety. What are the common causes of anxiety in children? When discussing anxiety, things must be kept in perspective as some children are better at coping than others; likewise, some children are naturally more anxious than others. Children are also very perceptive and can detect when others are anxious and replicate their actions or emotions. However, common causes of anxiety include: Moving house or changing school, especially if this happens frequently Tension in the home, such as parents fighting or arguing A bereavement to a close family member, friend or pet Being involved in an accident or becoming seriously ill, particularly if it requires hospitalisation Problems in or out of school such as bullying or underperforming compared to their peers If they are abused or neglected at home or elsewhere Children with autism spectrum disorders or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are also more prone to experience anxiety problems. What can you do to help if your child is anxious? If you believe that your child is experiencing problems with anxiety, the first things you should always do is talk to them openly. You mustn’t pass judgement or dismiss their concerns. Regardless of how “silly” you may feel their problems are, they don’t feel the same way. For younger children, receiving reassurance and offering an explanation that they understand, such as why they don’t need to worry, will usually mean that the anxieties go away of their own accord. However, we would suggest that you seek professional advice: If your child isn’t getting better, or indeed, getting worse Self-help techniques aren’t working If the anxiety is affecting other aspects of their life such as family or school life What are the professional treatments for anxiety? There are various forms of professional treatment for anxiety, and which one is most appropriate will probably be determined by the severity of the anxiety and the individual. The most commonly used are: Counselling – a professional counsellor can help your child to understand their anxiety and develop coping strategies and work through the problem Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) – CBT is a more in-depth form of talking therapy and, similar to counselling, is focused on managing anxiety and altering thought patterns Medication – medication tends to be used as a last resort with children and only used when other avenues have been exhausted and even then is only usually prescribed by a

The concept of learning through play has long been widely recognised for its role in a child’s development. It helps build self-confidence and understand what they can achieve and the environment around them. As it is a “fun” activity, their attention span will be far longer, and as such, they frequently become incredibly absorbed in the activity. Play is essential in early year’s development, but it also provides the foundations for their future learning. As the leading international kindergarten in Bangkok, we believe that play should form an integral part of a child’s learning. Indeed, it forms a significant portion of our daily activities. We introduce different forms of play into our daily routines to ensure that the child develops a full complement of skills. Play is incredibly powerful and helps build the child’s language skills, social skills and creativity as well as making them more emotionally aware. Why do children enjoy play? Children enjoy play because it’s fun! They can explore their imagination and go on adventures and their own voyage of discovery. Through play, they will learn some of life’s essential skills such as problem-solving, working with and understanding others, the concept of sharing and empathy, as well as so much more. As children enjoy play, they find it easier to focus and be less affected by distractions which, in turn, aids the learning process. What playthings can be used to help children learn? There are a wide range of everyday items and objects that can be used to assist with learning. Some of the most frequently used in a classroom environment include: Water and sand – Children will quickly understand that water is not a solid, and both water and sand can be poured into different sized containers in a measuring exercise. It introduces some basic maths and science into their early learning. Pencils, paints and clay – These are all readily available items and can be used to encourage creativity. The child will use their imagination to “create” things, which, with the right encouragement, will boost their confidence. Dressing up, dolls, and soft toys – Dressing up will again encourage children to use their imagination, especially if they dress up with others, can turn the play into role-playing. Dolls and soft toys can be used to promote expressions of feelings. Building blocks and jigsaws – These can help gain a sense of order and put things in the right place. It enhances several aspects of cognitive behaviour and helps to build the idea of using logic. Sporting activities – Any sporting activities that involve the use of balls, dancing, running or climbing will help to improve coordination, core strength and flexibility, all of which are essential in terms of physical development. Sporting activities also encourage teamwork and the idea of sharing. Music – Music in every form, such as listening to music, playing music or singing, all help children to develop their listening skills and a sense of rhythm. Teachers and parents should avoid becoming too pushy when it comes to play. It must remain fun, and while gentle encouragement is fine, it can become counter-productive if a child feels pressured. Remember, children, learn by copying others and learning for themselves. All of the senses need to be explored, so it is normal for painting to be done without a brush! Show children pictures, read books and encourage them to understand words. As they get older, be prepared to answer lots of “why’s”, but you must recognise that this is an integral part of the learning process. It’s important to “set the scene” Younger children can become bored very quickly if they have to wait for things to be set up or activities aren’t ready. As parents or teachers, it is important to set the scene early. It might be as straightforward as making time and space where on other occasions you may need to put resources in play such as sand, building blocks or other games. If dressing up is to be involved, you should set the ball rolling with an idea and then let the child take that initial idea where they want using their imagination. However, making time for unstructured and spontaneous play is also essential, but you should expect to become involved to keep the play flowing. Play allows children to burn excess energy, which can help with behaviour whilst also encouraging them to use their imagination which develops motor skills and self-expression. The role of role-play! Role-play is sometimes referred to as dramatic play and is beneficial in a range of different way. It helps develop social skills and emotional awareness but can also help with their physical development. Acting can indirectly form a vital role in a child’s development as it can be a form of copying or pretending to be something else. It helps children understanding things from a different perspective, and they can “test” reactions and situations. Imagination is something that all children are born with, and it should always be encouraged and nurtured. If you think about your own child, how often do they pretend to talk to someone on the phone or drive a car? The use of the imagination has a close association with intellectual intelligence. Exploring All young children should be encouraged to explore, and in the main, this should be outdoors. They will experience new things, changing environments and different situations on a daily basis. They will use all their senses, known as multi-sensory learning, which helps develop gross motor skills. Exploring may incorporate role-play, creative play and messy play, but whichever form it comes in, it is an essential element of the learning cycle. Did you find our article interesting? We hope you found this article interesting and that it helped explain why play is so crucial in a child’s formative years. Play forms a vital part of our daily routine, but if you would like and help or advice about play, we are always on hand to help and answer any question that they may have. For