Understanding Your Child’s Anxiety: Signs and Solutions

Tips from Child Guidance Center OC on how to recognize and manage signs of anxiety.

As parents, it’s natural to want to protect our children from pain—but one of the most important gifts we can give them is the ability to understand and express their emotions. At Child Guidance Center OC, our team of therapists works with children every day who are learning to name their feelings, build coping skills, and manage tough moments with confidence.

Here are three simple ways to support your child in building emotional intelligence at home:

• Name It to Tame It: When your child is upset, help them label their emotions. Try: “It looks like you’re feeling frustrated because your toy broke. That makes sense.”

• Create a Calm Corner: Designate a cozy, safe space where your child can go to take a break, use calming tools (like stress balls, books, or fidget toys), and regulate.

• Model Emotional Honesty: Talk about your own feelings too. Say things like, “I felt overwhelmed earlier, so I took a walk to help myself calm down.”

If you feel your child needs additional support, you’re not alone. Our team offers individual and family therapy, parent coaching, and school-based services across Orange County.