Back
0 results
Suggested Searches
0 results
Suggested Searches
Worry is a normal part of growing up. From the first day of school to friendships, tests, performances and unfamiliar situations, children can experience moments when their world feels a little bigger than they are ready for.
Learning how to recognise worry, talk about feelings and build everyday resilience can help children develop the confidence to navigate these moments.
Children do not always have the words to explain what they are feeling. Instead, worry can show up through changes in behaviour, emotions or everyday routines.
A child might:
Become more hesitant about new situations
Ask lots of “what if?” questions
Want extra reassurance from parents or caregivers
Find separation from parents difficult
Become quiet, irritable or tearful
Have trouble settling at bedtime
Complain of feeling uncomfortable when something unfamiliar is coming up
Avoid situations that make them feel nervous
Occasional worry is a normal part of childhood. New experiences, changes in routine and challenging social situations can all bring up big feelings.
The important thing is to look at the bigger picture. If worry is persistent, intense, interfering with everyday life or causing significant distress, it is worth talking with your child's healthcare professional or another appropriately qualified professional.
There is no single reason a child may experience worry or nervous energy.
Starting school, changing classrooms, meeting new people, moving house, friendship challenges, exams, performances and other unfamiliar experiences can all feel significant to a child.
Children are also still developing the emotional vocabulary and coping skills they need to make sense of these experiences.
Rather than immediately trying to make a difficult feeling disappear, parents can help children learn that feelings are something they can notice, name and work through.
When your child tells you they are worried, resist the temptation to immediately tell them everything will be fine.
Instead, listen.
Simple responses such as “That sounds like it feels really big right now” can help a child feel heard and understood.
Children can find emotions easier to manage when they have words for them.
Try talking about feelings such as:
Worried. Nervous. Excited. Frustrated. Overwhelmed. Unsure. Brave.
A simple feelings chart or regular check-in can help younger children develop their emotional vocabulary.
Some situations are predictable sources of nervous energy.
The first day of school. A school performance. A test. A new sports team. Meeting new people.
Talk through what is going to happen beforehand. Knowing what to expect can make an unfamiliar situation feel more manageable.
Regular sleep, meals, movement, play and downtime can provide useful anchors during busy periods.
Children do not need a perfect routine. Consistency and knowing what comes next can be reassuring.
Children often process emotions through movement and play rather than conversation alone.
Outdoor play, walking, swimming, dancing, sport, drawing and imaginative play can all provide opportunities for children to reset and reconnect with themselves.
Calm does not have to mean sitting perfectly still and meditating.
For some children, it might mean taking a few slow breaths. For another child, it could mean going outside, listening to music, stretching, reading a book or having some quiet time with a parent.
The goal is to give children simple tools they can gradually learn to use themselves.
Being brave does not mean never feeling worried.
A child can feel nervous and still give something a go.
Instead of focusing only on the outcome, acknowledge the effort:
“You were nervous, but you tried.”
That small shift can help children understand that courage and worry can exist at the same time.
For some children, worry and nervous energy can be part of their everyday personality. They may be naturally cautious, thoughtful or sensitive to new situations.
Alongside healthy routines, connection, movement and emotional support, parents may also choose nutritional products formulated to support children's everyday wellbeing.
Harker Herbals Calm & Brave is a liquid dietary supplement formulated in New Zealand for children aged 2–12+ years.
It provides calm mood support for kids, and is formulated to support a brave outlook and resilience. It contains natural plant extracts including Safr'Inside™ saffron, Fermanolide™ fermented ashwagandha root and wild-harvested sea buckthorn extract.
The current product directions state that Calm & Brave can be taken daily for children who tend toward worry or nervous energy, and can also be used around situations that may feel nerve-wracking, such as a first day of school, performance, test or new social situation.
For children aged 2–10 years, the recommended dose is 2.5 mL twice daily. For children aged 10 years and over, the recommended dose is 5 mL twice daily. Always follow the product label and do not exceed the recommended daily dose.
Calm & Brave is made in New Zealand from imported ingredients and has a natural orange flavour.
Children can show worry in different ways. They may become more hesitant about unfamiliar situations, seek reassurance, have difficulty separating from caregivers, become tearful or irritable, or avoid situations that make them nervous. Persistent or significant concerns should be discussed with a healthcare professional.
Listening, helping your child name their feelings, preparing them for unfamiliar situations, maintaining consistent routines and encouraging healthy sleep, movement, play and calming habits can all provide useful support.
Different things work for different children. Quiet time, breathing exercises, movement, outdoor play, predictable routines, reading and spending one-on-one time with a trusted adult can all be incorporated into an everyday approach to emotional wellbeing.
Calm & Brave is a children's liquid dietary supplement providing calm mood support and supporting a brave outlook and resilience. It is formulated in New Zealand for children aged 2–12+ years and contains natural plant extracts including saffron, fermented ashwagandha and sea buckthorn.
The product label states that Calm & Brave can be taken daily for ongoing support for children who tend toward worry or nervous energy. Always follow the recommended dose and label directions.
