3 ways a worry jar can help your anxious child cope better

A worry jar is a place where your child can put all their worries and fears, allowing them to tackle things as they feel able and ready.

You don’t even need to go out and buy anything too expensive for it to be effective; all you need is a large jar, preferably with a lid and stripes of paper.

Put it in an area of the home that is easily accessed by your child, and tell them it is a place where they can store any worries or fears they have so it no longer clouds their head.

While the idea may seem insignificant, the following three benefits will show you exactly how it can be beneficial to your child.

1. It takes their worries out of their head

We all know what it’s like to have a head full of worries, sometimes so all-consuming that it can be difficult to concentrate on anything else. The worry jar creates a physical place where your child can store their fears or concerns and tackle them when they are ready to.

2. Shows that there is nothing wrong with worrying

The creation of a worry jar allows for a conversation on anxiety and the importance of mental health – something that is particularly important as your child grows up. Showing your child from an early age that it is good to be open about their feelings will be something they will benefit from later in life.

3. It helps make the worry a physical thing

The brain is a powerful thing and can turn a small worry into something pretty massive the more times you think about it. However, turning the worry into something physical – such as on the piece of paper - can help your child see it as being smaller than them and something they can handle.

So how can you go about making a worry jar?

What you'll need: