Introduction

Having toddlers may make us often reason and assume that these young ones are always happy, jumping from one activity to the other. But the thing is, children even of such age can get anxious. For that matter, it is noteworthy that some of these anxiety disorders may present at as early as preschool aged children. Some level of anxiety is considered normal and expected in a toddler, but where the worrying becomes persistent or excessive these can seriously affect the toddler and development. That is why, they get anxious early in their development and need to be taught how to cope with these feelings. – Toddler Anxiety with Mindful Interventions

This is where mindful interventions come in. When we show toddlers how to focus on what is happening right now and control emotions, we prevent the next generation from suffering from anxiety and maybe even prepare them for what the society of the future will require. This article will focus on the phenomenon of toddler anxiety, describe the concept of mindfulness and offer a number of useful tips for parents of troubled children.

Understanding Toddler Anxiety

What is Anxiety in Toddlers?

Toddlers who develop anxiety, deal with abnormally high levels of fear, worry, or stress that negatively affect their ability to function normally. Parents must also understand that like any other aspect of development, toddlers are still learning how to manage their feelings and therefore the anxiety they demonstrate may not be in the same form as any older child or adult.

But it is quite usual that the toddlers a little scared, for example, to be separated from their parents or being scared of the dark, however when the child is really afraid and this fear stands for a long period and is also very great and not corresponding to something which any child can face then one can speak about anxiety. For example, a child with anxiety disorders is prone to temper tantrums when they least expect some changes within their schedule, they might be highly possessive of their caregivers, or even cry when they are left alone.

Some of the most typical ways in which toddlers manifest an anxiety disorder:

The symptoms of anxiety in toddlers might be difficult to identify since the child has not yet mastered spoken language. However, there are some common physical, emotional, and behavioral cues that parents can look out for:

• Physical Signs: Nausea and vomiting, headache, insomnia or hypersomnia, anorexia or bulimia, tachycardia, and tremor.
• Emotional Signs: Uncontrolled worry, fearfulness, low mood, mood swings, agitation, and difficulty in focusing.
• Behavioral Signs: Tantrums, avoidance of some situations or activities, a child reverts to a less mature development stage (for example, begins to wet the bed), separation anxiety.

For instance, a child who used to love going to preschool will one day refuse to go, cry, hold their parent’s hand, and say they have a stomach ache. Or, a toddler who was once perfectly content to play by themselves can begin to become overly dependent and insist on their parent’s company.

Causes of Toddler Anxiety

Toddler anxiety can stem from a variety of factors, including:

• Temperament: There are few children of this age, who have a temperamental predisposition to developing anxiety. They may be quicker to anger, more easily agitated or less able to cope with change than others.
• Genetics: Heredity is an essential factor that make a child develop anxiety because other family members had anxiety disorders.
• Environment: Stressors such as noise and light, which are hard to control for, can contribute to anxiety in toddler age children. These can be such as; family stress, parental anxiety, major life changes i.e moving, arrival of a new sibling.
• Stressful Life Events: Fear appears in toddlers due to the reasons like the accidents, hospitalization or loss of someone dear.

Advantages can be reciprocal with the disadvantages hence it’s a recommended course of action to take note that these factors are usually interrelated. For instance, if a child is highly sensitive temperament wise, he will likely develop anxiety in times of stress.

The Power of Mindful Interventions

What is Mindfulness?

Mindfulness in its basic form is regarding something as an object of attention and focusing upon it while eschewing criticism. Therefore it refers to recognizing our thoughts, emotions and physical experience without necessarily getting entangled with it. In young children mindfulness can be especially valuable in helping them regulate their feelings and respond appropriately to stress.

Suppose a toddler is filled with too much anger. The opposite of anger, mindfulness helps teach them to not get angry but instead step back, recognize the physical cues of anger (joints tightening, breathing speeding up), and accept it. Such awareness makes them drop the negative thought pattern and apply something more productive such as taking deep breaths or anger out correctly.

Five ways in which mindfulness is helpful to anxious toddlers

Mindfulness offers numerous benefits for anxious toddlers:

• Increased Self-Awareness: As Berne and others indicated, mindfulness assist toddlers to awaken several levels of consciousness of self and the environment; cognitive, emotional, and somesthetic. This self- awareness is important for knowing that one is anxious and what brings about anxiety.
• Emotional Regulation: If toddlers can learn not to become judgmental about what they feel then they can be able to regulate how they will respond to their feelings. It can also help calm them down when they are irritated and avoid those little tantrums that we sometimes have.
• Improved Coping Skills: Mindfulness helps facilitate development of defense mechanisms of tackling situations that are anxiety-provoking to the toddler. For instance, they may be taught on how to use a breathing technique or doing sensory tasks they think can calm them in case they feel overwhelmed.
• Reduced Stress: As a result, abuse and stress, rooted in worries and fears, are eased owing to mindfulness practice which encourages people pay attention to the moment they are in.

For example, a child who is worried about being left in a preschool will use mindfulness practice, such as deep breathing to help calm himself and to be mindful of the situation. An example is a toddler who has a fear of the dark as it is normal at this age but will learn how they can use mindfulness therapy to admit the fear and be able to work without it dominating them.

Mindful Techniques to Break the Anxiety Cycle

Now, let’s explore some practical mindful techniques that parents can use to help their toddlers break the cycle of anxiety:

Practical and Helpful Breathing Exercises for Toddlers

One of the first effective techniques to apply in managing anxiety is the breathing exercises because they directly soothe the nervous system. Here are a few fun and engaging breathing exercises for toddlers:

• Belly Breathing: Tuck your toddler into bed and put a appropriate sized stuffed animal on the toddler’s belly. Teach them that patient should continue taking slow breaths focusing on the animal rising and falling with each breath.
• Bubble Breathing: Have your toddler pretend to blow bubbles. Ask them to let a large breath in and to breathe out and imagine the bubbles they are blowing are the biggest and most beautiful ever.
• Flower and Candle Breathing: Teach your toddler how to blow and itch by pretending that he or she is smelling a flower in a blow and when blowing off a candle, it is itching.

Tip: As suggested before, you can turn breathing exercises into a game by telling stories, singing or showing some kind of cartoon. For example, you are to explain the breath in using a pinwheel or bubbles.

Mindful Movement and Play

It is a fact that movement and play are inherent forms of toddler’s communication as well as an effective form of releasing stress. Encourage mindful movement through activities like:

• Yoga for Toddlers: When it comes to practicing yoga with toddlers, there are many entertaining and playful asana out there on the market. These poses will help them regulate their bodily muscles, work on balancing and try to find link between the body and breathing.
• Nature Walks: Put your toddler in a stroller and go for a nature walk and remind your child to look, listen, touch, and smell nature. This can assist them in capturing their attention towards the current reality, enjoying the current nature and environment.
• Dancing: Turn on some music for your toddler and encourage him or her to dance! It is a form of a constructive pastime, a good way of letting out energy, and a way to discharging or displaying feeling.

Tip: It is the relative absence of the concern with the result as an end product of the sequences of motion. Get your toddler moving in a variety of ways and listen to his or her body.

Sensory Activates for Grounding

Prerequisites are fun sensory tasks that help toddlers to become very aware of what’s going on around them and can also help with calming the senses. Here are some ideas:

• Playdough: The children enjoy playing with playdough and this is a good form of play because it offers the young child a form of sensory stimulation that makes them very calm. The children are allowed to squeeze, roll and shape the play dough, this helps to relieve tension and to concentrate.
• Sand Play: Child’s play with sand provides different opportunities for every sense organ. For toddlers, there is dirt to dig in and sand to build with and is calming and encourages concentration.
• Water Play: Water play is another good idea that helps to occupy children’s senses. Babies can run around and play, and water can have a relaxing effect on the child and of course, it also stimulates curiosity.

Tip: A designated area in your house where your toddler can safely play and touch various materials is marvelous.

Mindful Story, Art & Emotion

Folk narratives and use of various kinds of arts integrated into the dramatic play may serve as effective strategies when teaching children about feeling and ways to deal with them.

• Read books about emotions: Select books that will assist toddlers to learn about emotions and differentiate one from the other. It can assist them in gaining emotional understanding and molding them how to handle themselves with emotions.
• Engage in creative activities: Let your child draw, paint or even dance away because this is the best time for buying Legos and toy cars for your child. It may be beneficent to give them an opportunity to release their emotion and develop effective coping mechanisms about various incidents.
• Use storytelling: Vignettes stories regarding characters who are struggling in some way but have to discover how to cope with anxiety. This can in a way help your toddler to grown a thick skin and handle pressures in the right manner.

Tip: เบderived from the original research are to employ stories and use creativity to make the toddler talk about anxiety so that they will be able to have words to explain how they feel.

Creating a Mindful Environment for Your Toddler

Besides having mindful techniques, it is also very important to build a mindful home environment in order to prevent the cycle of toddler anxiety.

Development of a Calm and Structured Environment

As any toddler will tell you, they love routine and their daily programming needs to be set in concrete if you know what is good for you. Daily routine is a useful method to minimize the feelings of anxiety because the person receiving it will feel that they have a certain amount of order at least in their day.

• Consistent Mealtimes and Bedtimes: Incorporate meal times and nap times in a chronic manner in order to cause the body of your toddler to adopt to a certain timing.
• Predictable Daily Activities: Before and after a session, it is necessary to set the schedule of wake-up time, dressing time, playing time and quiet time.
• Visual Schedules: Teach your toddler with picture and symbol cards to aid with his/her understanding of the routine and the changes yet to occur.

Tip: However, do not bring too much of a structure because this will greatly limit some creative freedom. Life is exciting and it sometimes gets in the way and it is alright to do so once in a while.

Establishing a Calm and Predictable Routine

Toddlers thrive on routine and predictability. A consistent daily schedule can help reduce anxiety by providing a sense of security and control.

• Consistent Mealtimes and Bedtimes: Establish regular mealtimes and bedtimes to help regulate your toddler’s biological clock and promote healthy sleep habits.
• Predictable Daily Activities: Create a daily routine that includes consistent times for activities like waking up, getting dressed, playing, and having quiet time.
• Visual Schedules: Use visual schedules with pictures or symbols to help your toddler understand the daily routine and anticipate upcoming transitions.

Tip: While routine is important, be flexible and allow for some spontaneity. Life happens, and it’s okay to deviate from the schedule occasionally.

Mindful Communication and Validation

The way we communicate with our toddlers can significantly impact their anxiety levels. Mindful communication involves:

• Active Listening: Pay attention to your toddler’s verbal and nonverbal cues. Get down to their level, make eye contact, and truly listen to what they are trying to communicate.
• Empathy and Validation: Acknowledge your toddler’s feelings, even if they seem irrational or exaggerated. Let them know that it’s okay to feel anxious and that you understand.
• Positive Language: Use positive and encouraging language. Instead of saying “Don’t be scared,” try saying “I know this feels scary, but I’m here with you.”

Examples of validating phrases:

• “It sounds like you’re feeling really worried about…”
• “I understand that you’re feeling frustrated right now.”
• “It’s okay to feel sad. All kids experience at least occasional sadness occasionally at some time in their lives.”

How to Raise Mindful Child Part 3 – Modeling Mindfulness with Your Toddler

Whatever children see from the people who are close to them is what they learn. What you have to understand is that when you demonstrate certain behavior to your toddler, he or she can learn that behavior and thus acquire stress reducing skills.

• Practice Mindfulness Yourself: Set aside some time for a personal mindfulness practice you do it through meditation, Yoga or just through taking deep breaths at different time in a day.
• Be Present with Your Toddler: Do not try to combine play with your toddler with anything else such as using phone or doing a different task. It requires paying regard to such individuals and being committed to current happenings.
• Express Your Emotions Mindfully: If you are feeling stressed or anxious, you should demonstrate behavior that your toddler should emulate when stressed. For instance, you might say “I am a bit stressed at the moment, therefore I need to take a breather.”

Having a mindful home means that your toddler receives the support he or she needs to overcome anxiety and grow.

Seeking Professional Support

Of course, it is possible to remember various mindful interventions and ensure the child has a positive home environment; nevertheless, it can be crucial to turn to the professionals.

When to Seek Professional Help

If your toddler’s anxiety is severe, persistent, or interfering with their daily life, it’s important to seek professional help. Here are some signs that it might be time to consult a therapist:

• Your toddler’s anxiety is not improving despite your efforts at home.
• Your toddler’s anxiety is causing significant distress or impairment in their daily functioning (e.g., refusing to go to school, difficulty sleeping, frequent meltdowns).
• Your toddler is exhibiting signs of a more serious anxiety disorder.
• You are feeling overwhelmed or unsure about how to help your toddler.

Types of therapy for toddlers:

• Play Therapy: This type of therapy uses play to help toddlers express their feelings and work through challenges.
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): CBT helps toddlers identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviors that contribute to anxiety.
• Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT): This therapy focuses on strengthening the parent-child relationship and teaching parents effective strategies for managing their toddler’s behavior.

Finding the Right Therapist for Your Toddler

Finding a therapist who specializes in early childhood anxiety is crucial. Here are some tips for finding the right therapist:

• Ask for referrals from your pediatrician, other parents, or trusted professionals.
• Look for therapists with experience in play therapy, CBT, or other evidence-based treatments for anxiety.
• Schedule a consultation to meet the therapist and see if they are a good fit for your child and family.
• Trust your gut feeling. In the selection process of the therapist, try to find one whom you like and whom you think can handle your toddler.

Conclusion

Overcoming the problem of toddler anxiety is not an easy process that needs time, sympathy and several copious tools. Cognitive strategies are an effective strategy to treat anxiety and teach children skills to help themselves cope today and in the future. When parents set up a mindful home, instruct mindful methods, and when necessary, get expert help, parents are in a position to support the toddler to cope with the issues of anxiety and experience success during the course of the toddler age.

Please be reminded that all children are different, so a plan of development for one toddler will not necessarily be right for another. Keep going while being patient, persistent, and compassionate and offer yourself a pat on the back every time you record progress.

References:

• Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA): https://adaa.org/
• Child Mind Institute: https://childmind.org/
• American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP): https://www.aap.org/