How Parents/Caregivers Can Support Children with Social Anxiety
Author: Sasha Hatfield, UF Doctoral Student
Published: March 10, 2024
As a parent/caregiver, understanding and providing support for your child with social anxiety is essential to their well-being and development. This blog post offers practical tips and guidance on how you can create a supportive environment and help their children manage social anxiety and navigate social situations with greater confidence. Remember that every child is unique, and what works for one may not work for another. Be flexible and adaptive in your approach, and most importantly, let your child know that they are loved and valued just as they are.
Learn About Social Anxiety
Taking the time to learn more about social anxiety can provide valuable insights into your child's emotions and behavior. Consider reading books or watching videos about social anxiety with your child and discussing specific aspects of anxiety, such as physical symptoms and common triggers. Teaching your child about social anxiety with age-appropriate language can help them understand how their anxiety affects them.
Use Compassionate Language
When your child shares about challenging social experience or exhibits difficulty in a social situation avoid dismissive comments like “don’t worry” or “you’re overreacting.” Here are some examples of language to use with your child:
Acknowledgement: "I see that you're feeling scared about talking to new people. That must be tough for you. Let's figure out a way to make it feel less overwhelming."
Supportive Statements: “You're not alone in feeling nervous. Many people, including adults, feel anxious in social situations sometimes. We can work through this together."
Sharing Similar Experiences: "I remember feeling nervous in social situations when I was your age too. It helped me to [insert coping strategy]. Would you like to give it a try?"
Encouragement: "I'm proud of you for trying your best, even when it feels scary."
Teach Coping Strategies
Work together to develop and practice coping strategies for managing social anxiety. Deep breathing exercises, positive affirmations, and visualization techniques can be helpful tools. Consider creating a "calm down" toolkit with items like stress balls or a sensory object to provide tangible tools for anxiety management.
Role Playing and Social Skills Practice
Try role-playing activities at home to simulate social scenarios. Practice common social interactions, such as asking a question in class, initiating conversations with peers, or joining group activities. Make it fun by taking on different roles, allowing your child to practice without the pressure of a real-life situation. This can help your child build social skills in a familiar and supportive environment. You can also help your child practice some of their coping strategies during these role plays.
Gradual Exposure to Social Situations
Gradually expose your child to social situations in a controlled and supportive manner. Start with small, low-pressure gatherings or one-on-one interactions. For instance, invite one friend over for a playdate, gradually progressing to slightly larger gatherings as your child becomes more comfortable. If your child is anxious about attending a large gathering such as a birthday party, have them attend for a short period and gradually increase the duration. This gradual approach allows your child to build confidence at their own pace.
Celebrate Small Victories
Celebrate your child's efforts and small victories, such as attending a social event for a short period or initiating a conversation with a peer. Use plenty of praise and positive reinforcement and let them know that you are proud of their progress.
Seek Professional Help When Necessary
If your child's social anxiety persists, consider seeking guidance from a psychologist or counselor. These professionals who specialize in treating social anxiety, can collaborate with you and your child to develop specific interventions and strategies to manage their anxiety. This ensures that your child receives personalized and professional support tailored to their unique needs.
The FLOAAT Center offers comprehensive therapy in Gainesville, FL, including specialized treatment for anxiety disorders. We would be more than happy to help you, your family member, or other loved one on their mental health journey — contact us today to get started.
Sources:
https://childmind.org/article/what-is-social-anxiety/
https://childmind.org/article/how-to-help-anxious-kids-in-social-situations/
