...But, What If...: Addressing Anxiety

This book is intended to be read with a child or group of children to facilitate a discussion about anxiety. When someone faces potentially harmful or worrying triggers, feelings of anxiety are not only normal but necessary for survival. Anxieties can occur when thinking about work/school, money, family life, health, and other critical issues that demand a person's attention without the 'fight-or-flight' reaction. The nervous feeling, or butterflies, before an important event or during a challenging situation is a natural parallel of the original 'fight-or-flight' reaction. Anxiety about being in a car accident, for example, means that a person will instinctively check surroundings to avoid danger.

Most children are ready to explore their world. Many children have fears and worries. Strong fears may appear at different times during development. Parents and other adults tend to teach fear
though usually not intentionally, and the fear response in children becomes a learned behavior.

Sometimes the world can seem like a scary place. There may be a fear of getting hurt, being left out, or not fitting in. But, what if we could help guide our thoughts toward a more positive outcome? What if we can teach the children to do the same? Let's fight these fears together.