The first step is to help young children recognise and understand the feelings they are experiencing and the labels associated with those feelings. For example, anxiety, worry, anger, sadness, etc.
The next step is to teach them more effective thinking and coping skills and how to regulate their own emotions, using evidence-based and age-appropriate methods. Role plays, relaxation and mindfulness techniques may also be helpful. And after the immediate challenges are dealt with, the aim is to develop longer term resilience and practical “life skills”.
However, the younger the age of the child, the more of a focus there is on helping PARENTS to help them – as that is what creates the best outcomes.
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