Social anxiety is a common challenge for children, making it difficult to form friendships, participate in class, and even feel comfortable at school. Helping a child manage these feelings begins with teaching them healthy coping mechanisms.
Looking back, the signs were clear. Around the age of four or five, my daughter would grow jittery in crowds, retreating into herself, struggling to form a coherent sentence. At the time, little was known—or at least readily available—about anxiety in young children, especially social anxiety. Nearly 15 years later, a wave of guilt still lingers, wishing the information had been easier to access for first-time mothers and, truly, for all parents.
The memories remain vivid—her eyes shaking, her lips struggling to form words. Her father would gently guide her: “Let’s breathe in and out… count to ten slowly… now try again.” In those brief moments, she would calm, her thoughts untangling just enough to speak.
Back then, her anxiety was never recognised for what it was. Labeled a "very busy" toddler with possible signs of ADHD, social anxiety wasn’t even a consideration. Only years later did she reflect on how anxiety filled her mind and body, how sweaty palms became a constant. But through it all, she remembered the “breathing party” her father created—an unintentional yet powerful calming technique that became a lifeline.
Now, more than a decade later, deep breathing is known to be one of the simplest yet most effective ways to manage anxiety. Slowing the breath calms the body, reduces heart rate, and lowers blood pressure. It may seem small, but sometimes, the smallest things make the biggest difference.
At Charleeboo, our mission is to empower little humans with the tools they need to navigate difficult emotions. Our books are written with this very purpose in mind—helping Charlee face anxious moments with courage. Our first book, Worry Brain is Playing Tricks Again, illustrates how "Worry Brain" creates unnecessary fears, while our upcoming release, Charlee’s First Breathing Party, brings breathing techniques to life in a fun and engaging way.
Both books are designed to support children through their worries, and we’d love for you to share your experiences after reading them. Keep an eye out for the release of Charlee’s First Breathing Party—this is one you won’t want to miss!
Simple Breathing Tips for Kids:
- Teach them to inhale through the nose and exhale through the mouth.
- Guide them to count to four as they breathe in and four as they breathe out.
- Encourage deep breathing whenever they feel overwhelmed.
- Use visualization—imagine breathing in calm, peaceful air and exhaling worries and fears.
Beyond techniques, children need love, support, and reassurance. Let them know they are not alone—and neither are you.
Helpful Resources:
🔗 National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
🔗 Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA)
🔗 Child Mind Institute
Fred Rogers once shared this wisdom from his mother:
"When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’"
Let’s be the helpers for our children.
