Helping Children with Anxiety | Calm, Confidence & Emotional Strength

When a child’s mind won’t switch off

Many parents sense when their child is struggling but aren’t always sure how to help — gentle guidance and the right tools can make a meaningful difference.

 

Many children carry worries they don’t yet have the words to explain.

A child may seem happy one moment and overwhelmed the next. They might lie awake thinking about school, friendships, or getting something wrong. Some children become very hard on themselves, while others avoid situations that suddenly feel too big.

From the outside these reactions can look confusing, but often they are simply signs that a child’s nervous system is trying to make sense of pressure, change, or expectations.

When children are given the right support, they can learn that these feelings are manageable and that they are stronger than they realise.

 

 

How Anxiety Can Appear in Children

Children rarely describe anxiety the way adults do.

Instead it often shows up through behaviour, emotions, or physical responses.

Parents sometimes notice:

• difficulty sleeping
• worrying about the future
• perfectionism or fear of getting things wrong
• emotional outbursts
• avoiding new situations
• loss of confidence
• stomach aches or tension.

These responses are not weaknesses. They are the body’s way of asking for support.

 

Understanding the Nervous System

Children experience emotions through the body as much as the mind.

When the nervous system feels safe, children naturally become curious, confident, and open to learning. When it feels overwhelmed, the opposite can happen — worries grow, reactions become bigger, and everyday situations can feel difficult.

Helping a child regulate their nervous system can make a remarkable difference to how they experience school, friendships, and challenges.

Rather than trying to force children to “be calm”, the goal is to help them feel safe enough for calm to happen naturally.

 

The Power of Story and Imagination

Children understand the world through imagination.

Stories allow them to explore emotions safely and to see new possibilities for themselves. This is why gentle imagery and storytelling can be so powerful in helping children process worries and build confidence.

NEKAWA Inner World was created with this in mind — a collection of guided stories designed to help children:

• settle their thoughts before sleep
• understand big feelings
• develop confidence
• feel safe when facing new experiences.

When children learn these skills early, they carry them forward into adolescence and adulthood.

 

Support Beyond Sessions

Families often want tools they can use at home to support their child’s emotional wellbeing.

Alongside sessions, many families explore the resources available through NEKAWA Blueprint, where recordings and practices are designed to help calm the mind, relax the body, and build supportive habits over time.

These resources allow children and parents to return to techniques whenever they need them.

 

Working With Deb

Deb brings a background in science, body awareness, and subconscious work to support both adults and younger clients.

Sessions are designed to feel safe, encouraging, and age appropriate. The focus is on helping children understand what they are experiencing while building resilience and self-trust.

Support is available in Whanganui, Auckland, and online across New Zealand and internationally.

 

When Parents Often Reach Out

Parents sometimes seek support when they notice:

• their child worrying frequently
• sleep becoming difficult
• confidence dropping
• strong emotional reactions
• pressure around school or sport
• a child becoming hard on themselves.

Early support can help children develop lifelong emotional skills and a healthier relationship with challenges.

 

A Gentle and Supportive Approach

Every child is different.

Some respond quickly to understanding what they are feeling, while others benefit from learning tools gradually over time.

The aim is not to remove every challenge from a child’s life, but to help them discover that they can handle those challenges with greater calm and confidence.

 

Important Note

Support offered through NEKAWA focuses on wellbeing, emotional awareness, and personal development. It is not a replacement for medical or psychological care. If your child is receiving professional support, please continue working with your healthcare provider.

 

Common Questions About Anxiety in Children

Is anxiety common in children?

Yes. Many children experience worry, nervousness, or periods of self-doubt as they grow and learn about the world.

School expectations, friendships, new experiences, and wanting to do well can all place pressure on young minds. With the right support, children can learn to understand these feelings and develop confidence in handling them.

Why does my child worry so much at night?

Night-time is often when the mind slows down and thoughts become louder.

During the day children are busy with school, activities, and conversations. When things become quiet, worries that were pushed aside can come forward.

Helping children relax their body and feel safe before sleep can often make evenings easier.

How can I help my child when they feel overwhelmed?

Children respond best when they feel understood rather than corrected.

Simple things can help, such as:

• listening without rushing to fix the feeling
• reassuring them that emotions are normal
• helping them slow their breathing or body
• reminding them of times they handled challenges before.

Over time these small moments build emotional resilience.

Will my child grow out of anxiety?

Many children naturally become more confident as they develop emotional skills and life experience.

When worries persist or begin affecting sleep, school, or enjoyment of activities, supportive guidance can help children develop tools that stay with them for life.

Can stories really help children manage emotions?

Stories allow children to explore feelings in a safe and imaginative way.

Through characters and situations, children can understand emotions, learn coping strategies, and see that challenges can be overcome.

This is why guided stories and calming imagery can be very effective for younger minds.