When I Feel Worried

My name is {{childName}}, and this is my story about worried feelings. Sometimes I feel worried or anxious. My tummy might feel funny, my heart might beat fast, or it might feel hard to think. These are signs that I am having a worried feeling.

Everyone feels worried sometimes — children, grown-ups, even teachers. A worried feeling does not mean something bad is going to happen. It is just a feeling, and feelings pass. Knowing this can help the worry feel smaller.

When I feel worried, there are things I can do. I can take slow breaths. I can hold a favourite object. I can tell a grown-up about my worry. Saying a worry out loud often makes it smaller.

After a little while, the worried feeling starts to fade, and I feel calmer. I am safe. I can have another go at whatever I was doing. Every time I get through a worry, I learn that I can do it again.