RIKKI LOFTUS

it will be a way for them to express their emotions and then they can change those pictures into the positive,” she says.

“If you’ve got an auditory child, they like to listen and they like to hear words, they want explanations. Listening to soothing words is what will calm them down and listening to music.”

Channel their stress into creativity

Alicia warns against using negative phrases like “don’t worry” when discussing your child’s concerns with them – it may not have the desired effect. Instead, try setting up a worry box with them.

Your child can write down all their concerns onto pieces of paper, and then shut them in the box with a lid.

When events they were worried about have happened, they can take the worries out of the box and rip them up.

Psychotherapist Alicia Eaton

How to build positive coping techniques

Liat suggests creating a “menu of wellbeing” for them. This could be a chart on the fridge, or something for them to keep in their room.

On the menu will be various things your child likes doing, and can do when they feel worried or low.

It could something simple like a cuddle from a parent, or time spent drawing or writing.

Liat adds: “Help them understand what works for them and then use those coping tactics for when they’re feeling stressed”

Often, children don’t understand that what’s going on is stress about something and they may complain of a tummy ache or that they feel sick.

In this case, Alicia suggests encouraging a walk outside in the fresh air, or running them a warm bath.

Create a calm environment at home

One simple trick is to clear household clutter, Alicia says. “A tidy house gets rid of all the stress and panic before you go to school,” she adds.

Organisation in the home will put a stop to worrying about where the lunchbox is, or finding their school bag and shoes in a mad rush before heading out the door.