
Child Therapist’s Ultimate List of Products to Help Reduce Child Anxiety
As a child therapist and mom to three anxious kids, I am constantly searching for products that can help reduce child anxiety and give parents some more tools.
Here is a compilation of my favorite products that can reduce child anxiety along with how I recommend using them.
Do you have a product that helps your anxious child? Leave a comment and let us know! Let’s build an amazing list of resources for parents.
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These are affiliate links. Anxious Toddlers receives a small commission from purchases in order to keep this site running. These are products that would be endorsed regardless and I often recommend them in my therapy practice.
Chew Necklaces aka Chewelry (yes, it’s a thing)
How they help:
Some anxious kids have a habit of chewing on whatever they can find. This includes clothing, pencils and everything in between. Giving kids an acceptable option to chew on will reduce damage to clothes and nails, as well as provide them with an outlet to satisfy that urge.
When to use them:
These necklaces are cute and won’t stigmatize kids. Have your kids wear them to school and any other environment where they tend to chew (this might be all the time).
Fidget Toys
How they help:
Nervous kids tend to fidget more than other kids. Give them something they can keep in their pockets to channel this nervous energy. Fidget toys can also have a grounding and calming effect.
When to use them:
Some teachers will allow their students to use fidget toys. You can talk to your child’s teacher about her rules. You can also give your child fidget toys in places where they get nervous (like the doctor’s office).
Calming Products
How they help:
When anxious kids are feeling panicky, redirecting their focus can be helpful. Have your child spend time watching a relaxing toy, playing with sand or squeezing some play floam.
When to use them:
Whenever your kids are showing some anxiety, distress or anger – direct them to a calming activity.
Furniture, Swings and Tents
How they help:
Some anxious kids like to move, rock or be enveloped when they are feeling anxious. Find what your kids prefer. Do they bury themselves and hide their face when upset? Do they rock or jump around? Find their outlet and provide it for them.
When to use them:
Prompt your kids to swing, jump or go to their break tent when they are feeling overwhelmed.
Worry Stones
How they help:
Worry stones are polished stones with a thumb indentation that use reflexology to promote a feeling of calm and relaxation.
When to use them:
Put one in your kid’s pocket to rub when they are feeling overwhelmed.
How they help:
Anxious kids are hyper vigilant at night. They hear every creak, every footstep. This can cause some major sleep issues. White noise blocks out background noise, allowing anxious kids to relax and sleep better.
When to use them:
If your child is having a hard time sleeping, try a white noise machine.
Guided Visual Imagery CDs
How they help:
Guided visual imagery CDs help relax children when they are feeling anxious or are trying to go to bed. These are very effective with the families I work with in my practice.
When to use them:
You can have your child fall asleep to them or use them when they are particularly anxious and need help calming down.
Books/Videos on Child Anxiety
How they help:
It is crucial to educate yourself and your child on how anxiety works. There are great books geared towards children as well as parents.
When to use them:
I always recommend parents read What to Do When You Worry Too Much: A Kid’s Guide to Overcoming Anxiety (What to Do Guides for Kids) For kids twelve and older, you can have them read my book, Anxiety Sucks! A Teen Survival Guide.
Audio Books:
How they help:
Kids don’t always want to read anxiety books. Some don’t want to read any books! This one and a half hour audio book is perfect for those kids! Teach your children how to defeat their anxiety with this humorous and helpful audio book. Beating anxiety doesn’t have to be boring. Your child will be entertained and won’t even know they are learning cognitive-behavioral skills.
When to use them:
Carve out special alone time where you and your child can sit and listen to the book. Break up the book into two sittings. Listen to it in the car or before bed.
Oils/Aromatherapy
How they help:
Oils and aromatherapy can have a soothing effect on kids.
When to use them:
You can incorporate them into your bedtime routine by rubbing them on your child or using a diffuser like the one below. You can also use an aromatherapy necklace to help calm your child throughout the day.
Portable Night Lights
How they help:
Night lights that have a portable feature are awesome for anxious kids. The first one on the list is my favorite. The balls come out and can be carried around.
When to use them:
Night lights in general are a necessity for anxious kiddos, but night lights that children can use when getting up to go to the bathroom are extra perfect.
Adult Coloring Books
How they help:
Adult coloring books are beautiful and intricate. They can be very calming for some kids.
When to use them:
Perfect if you have an older child who loves order and control. A good activity to reset and relieve stress.
E-Course for parents
How they help:
Parents can learn from a child therapist how to help their children develop skills to fight anxiety through online classes.
When to use them:
When you feel overwhelmed with your child’s anxiety or OCD and need help learning how to react and help your child through anxiety.
Do you have a product you would add to the list? Leave a comment below. Let’s build a great resource list!
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