Connexions Resource Centre - Satellite Offices
Visits by appointment only
Shawville: 530, rue Main, Shawville, Qc, J0X 2Y0
Wakefield: 721, chemin Riverside, Wakefield, QC J0X 3G0
819-557-0615 •

Wrap-Up & Resources Shared During our Parent Workshop: “Helping your Child Cope with Anxiety”

We would like to thank our parents and WQSB staff and teachers who attended our Parent Workshop on November 28: “Helping Children Cope with Anxiety.”  As well, a huge thanks to our guest facilitator, Joanne Doucette, MSW, RSW, Registered Social Worker at the Child, Adolescent and Family Centre of Ottawa for such an informative, dynamic and engaging presentation.  Thank you!

It was a great session and an opportunity for parents and staff to learn about the causes of anxiety in children and why there’s an increased prevalence. Joanne spoke about such factors as inborn temperament, and how societal changes, including exposure to technology, have contributed to the difficulty children face when coping with anxiety.  Joanne also highlighted some strategies parents could use to help alleviate their child’s fears and anxieties including:

  • Different relaxation and calm breathing techniques such as the Flower (breath-in) & Candle (breath-out) and the Cookies in the Oven;
  • Setting aside a 10-15 minute “Worry Time” each day to actively listen to the child and help them express their feelings and fears.
  • Helping a child confront their fears by setting goals and then gradually exposing them to their anxiety in order to stop the cycle of avoidance.

The Information Session included some skits with guest Josette Kodsi, Social Worker at the WQSB and a Q&A at the end of the presentation.

Resources Shared During the Parent Workshop:

This workshop is in collaboration with the Partenaires du secteur Aylmer with funding from Avenirs d’enfants.