{"id":174000000920,"date":"2020-09-11T11:10:58","date_gmt":"2020-09-11T15:10:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kidsrkids.com\/avalon-park\/?p=174000000920"},"modified":"2020-09-21T09:36:55","modified_gmt":"2020-09-21T13:36:55","slug":"social-anxiety","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kidsrkids.com\/avalon-park\/2020\/09\/11\/social-anxiety\/","title":{"rendered":"Coping\u00a0with Social Anxiety"},"content":{"rendered":"

For many children and adults who struggle with social anxiety, months of social distancing has felt like a nice break. It has given them the chance to avoid situations that would usually evoke anxiety and stress. While it has lifted one burden, it may also have increased your child’s loneliness and isolation. Learning how to navigate stressful social situations is a crucial life skill. Developing coping mechanisms and increasing their social confidence will allow them to create deep and meaningful relationships with their peers.
\nAccording to clinical psychologist Arlin Council, it’s important–even with a preschooler–to help them overcome social anxiety<\/a>. Children with social anxiety are more at risk of developing long-term mental health problems such as depression and anxiety. They can also have more difficulty in school coping with social and academic demands. By building up their confidence and helping them learn how to navigate new social situations, you can equip them to cope with demanding social interactions as they get older.<\/p>\n

Ease Them into Face-to-Face Conversations<\/h2>\n
\"Kids<\/figure>

Live video-chats can be overwhelming for children with social anxiety, especially after months only interacting with close family members. You can ease them into chatting with their classmates by starting with a voice phone call or Marco Polo videos with friends. (Marco Polo is a popular app that allows you to make and send a video to others. It has fun filters that your child can use, and it easy to operate.)<\/p>\n

Another way to\u00a0ease them into it is to have them participate when you have video chats with\u00a0your close friends and family. Seeing the face of an adult that they trust and\u00a0feel safe with on the screen will help them feel more at ease talking to\u00a0a\u00a0camera. Having you beside them, to help guide the conversation, will also help\u00a0them feel secure as they build up their confidence.<\/p>\n

Model Comfort & Confidence with Social Interaction<\/h2>\n

Seeing you talk\u00a0comfortably with friends and family is a simple yet crucial way to help your\u00a0child learn to cope with social anxiety. Kids learn many things from their\u00a0parents, including how to handle social situations and develop meaningful\u00a0relationships. If you are anxious and extremely inhibited in social situations,\u00a0it will re-enforce their social anxiety. If they see you acting at ease and\u00a0confident in social situations, it can help them feel more at ease in those\u00a0situations.<\/p>\n

Offer Gentle Encouragement<\/h2>\n

Tenderly encourage your child when they try to avoid or talk their way out of social interactions. Don’t criticize or coerce them into a social situation that they are uncomfortable with. Neither will help them learn how to cope with their anxiety. Gentle encouragement to be brave and make a new friend will be more effective.<\/p>\n

Make it Fun!<\/h2>\n
\"kids<\/figure>

Making new friends and deepening friendships should be fun. You can help your child overcome their anxiety by setting up virtual playdates to play I Spy, Would You Rather or do a Virtual Scavenger Hunt. If the app they are using has cool filters, teach them how to use them.<\/p>\n

Try suggesting\u00a0that they start the call by having a contest to see who can make the silliest\u00a0face or find the funniest filter to help break the ice. Starting off this way\u00a0can set the tone for the whole conversation.<\/p>\n

Be sure to stay\u00a0positive and have patience with your child as you create more opportunities for\u00a0them to make new friends or meet new people. Overcoming social anxiety is scary\u00a0and challenging. They will need to feel your long-lasting love\u00a0and support\u00a0through the process. If they aren’t ready for a new social interaction, listen\u00a0to their concerns, and be willing to take a step back until they are ready.<\/p>\n

Let Their Teacher Know<\/h2>\n

If your child is in preschool or elementary school, let their teacher know about their social anxiety. They may have tips to help your child build social confidence. You can work together to help your child cope with their social stress.<\/p>\n

Our team at\u00a0Kids’ R’ Kids Avalon Park is experienced in helping children overcome tough\u00a0challenges like social anxiety. If you are looking for a safe, supportive VPK\u00a0program or learning lounge for your child<\/a>,\u00a0contact us to\u00a0learn more! Enrollment\u00a0for our new Center has started.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

For many children and adults who struggle with social anxiety, months of social distancing has felt like a nice break. It has given them the chance to avoid situations that would usually evoke anxiety and stress. While it has lifted one burden, it may also have increased your child’s loneliness and isolation. Learning how to […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":289,"featured_media":174000000921,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[174000000029],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-174000000920","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-back-to-school"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nHelp Your Children Overcome Their Social Anxieties<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Learning how to navigate stressful social situations is a crucial life skill. 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