Anyone here with a pre-schooler with anxiety and social concerns?

[cuddlebugluv]

Hi everyone,

Maybe if I ask differently I'll get some of the help I am looking for * fingers crossed* How can I help my little one who has some serious signs of an anxiety disorder? It's affecting her at school and I want to do my best to help her through this. What are some good ways to do this? I don't want to smother her yet I also want her to know I've got her back, so to speak. Any ideas?

 

[noon_child]

Anxiety is common during the pre-school years (often manifesting in things like mutism) as children get used to being more independent. Can you give an example of some of the anxieties and how they manifest.

 

[cuddlebugluv]

Anxiety is common during the pre-school years (often manifesting in things like mutism) as children get used to being more independent. Can you give an example of some of the anxieties and how they manifest.

Well she pulls at her lips constantly, or her ears, mumbles and avoids eye contact. and when her class is doing anything in a large group she avoids it and prefers to watch, even on the playground. If she's comfortable with a person she will be her usual talkative and bubbly self. But at school they have been sharing concerns about her not participating, not talking and shying away from a large group of children in general.

 

[ciz]

Hey. How old is your little one? My son is 2.5yr and isn’t talking yet. He’s in preschool and prefers to do his own thing. He has days were he will interact alittle bit but he likes his own company. His health visitor and teachers are exploring the possibility of him having autism but on the minimal scale. He holds his ears to certain sounds, pulls his ears, hits his chest in frustration or upset.

We are looking at the moment with getting his support teacher to see if that’s going to help him. Have the teachers mentioned anything like this to you ?

 

[cuddlebugluv]

Hey. How old is your little one? My son is 2.5yr and isn’t talking yet. He’s in preschool and prefers to do his own thing. He has days were he will interact alittle bit but he likes his own company. His health visitor and teachers are exploring the possibility of him having autism but on the minimal scale. He holds his ears to certain sounds, pulls his ears, hits his chest in frustration or upset.

We are looking at the moment with getting his support teacher to see if that’s going to help him. Have the teachers mentioned anything like this to you ?

Hi there, My LO is 4 going on 5 in June. Her teachers are also investigating if high functioning autism is also a factor along with anxiety, which is another reason I wanted to reach out on here to see what I could do to support her and help her if that comes back with hard and conclusive evidence supporting this. I'm going to be following up with a specialist as well as her pediatrician once they finish. They haven't offered a specialist teacher for her though, which I am happy they did for your LO as I think that might help, especially if they teach him how to sign and enable him to have a voice. My LO is going to a charter school next year, and luckily I met her teacher who has many years of experience with children having anxiety or high functioning autism so in either case I know my LO will be well looked after and supported in class. I hope for the absolute best for you and your LO too.

 

[noon_child]

Selective Mutism Information & Research Association (SMIRA)

YoungMinds - Child & Adolescent Mental Health

 

[SarahBear]

Validate her feelings, but try not to feed into the anxiety. Try to help her figure out and identify ways to address the things she is anxious about. Teach her calming strategies. Talk to her pediatrician.

 

[laura109]

Hi my 4 year old wont speak to adults apart from me and her dad alot of the time. At home she is so full on. She actually has scared off one of her quiet friends with her silly behaviour like shouting and charging about. She has a one year old brother and has had alot of change in her young life. Alot of people never see the real her. They see her being shy, not answering or whispering. When her brother was born she went silent as soon as we left the house. I could not get her to talk to me.

A year on and she speaks to me in the street. She warms up to people after an hour for example. I actually dont know what she is like at nursery. They dont say she never talks. She seems to love nursery and always comes home positive.

As a child i was nervous in situations like going out to the front or the attention being on me too much. Was not keen on pe, when it was my turn to bat a ball or run i felt anxious. Other than that i liked people, had friends and was a happy little thing. Its kind of the same in my adult life. I can chat to anyone who i come face to face with. I like people, was confident when i worked etc... weddings and social events that require me to dress up make me nervous.

I get what i am trying to say is shyness, aniexty and nerves cover such a huge scale. I.believe all of us have parts of us that struggle in certain areas. Lookimg back my mum never cheered me on. She never was easy to talk to and was not a cuddly mum. I think if i had been mothered with more warmth and encouragment i would of shined more. It sounds like you are a wonderful mum. O think exposure to different situations over the years will help her grow. For my 4 year old we got a national trust card and we go to this brilliant outdoor play area. She is surrounded by other children. She climbs and swings and runs about. She takes turns and watches what people do. It has helped her. I feel so proud when she goes off on her own and does the tasks without help.

I think lots of praise will help. Some children are shy. Its a big world for them to get used to. Maybe reading books that might help her relate could help too. She will shine one day when she finds herself abit more. I know how upsetting it is when you think your child is feeling overwhelmed.

Good luck xx

 

[Jessica60]

My daughter was exactly like that at that age and so was I. Nursery teacher said it was just her personality and she was happy in herself. I've been doing play dates and sports to encourage her confidence and oh my gosh what a change. She can still be quiet at times when nervous but now is confident aswell. It's taken a couple of years for the change.