Guidance to Help Children Cope with Anxiety and Feel Reassured

13 Mar, 2026:

Children can sometimes feel worried or confused when they hear about difficult events around them. Parents and caregivers play an important role in helping children feel safe, calm, and supported during uncertain times. Creating a reassuring environment at home can help children better manage their emotions.

Below are some easy ways you can help your children to regain their calm:

• Start by encouraging open and appropriately aged conversations. Let your child know that it is okay to ask questions or share how they feel. Listen calmly and reassure them that adults are working to keep everyone safe. Avoid exposing children to too much news or alarming information, as this may increase their anxiety.

• Simple calming activities can also help children regulate their emotions. Breathing exercises are one of the easiest ways to help children relax. Encourage your child to take slow, deep breaths, breathing in through the nose and slowly breathing out through the mouth. Deep breathing helps the body relax by slowing the heart rate and reducing stress. You can make breathing exercises more fun by using simple imagery. For example, ask your child to “smell a flower and blow out a candle,” imagining a deep breath in through the nose and a gentle breath out through the mouth.

• Other calming activities such as drawing, reading, playing quiet board games, or cooking can help occupy children’s mind and make them feel more comfortable and secure. Keeping regular routines such as mealtimes, playtime, and bedtime, can further support a sense of stability.

If your child continues to feel anxious or distressed, encourage them to speak with a trusted adult such as a parent, teacher, or school counselor. With patience, reassurance, and simple coping tools, children can learn healthy ways to manage their emotions and stay calm.

If you or your any of your family is feeling anxious or stressed at this time, 24/7 help is available through DOH’s helpline: 800-SAKINA (725462).

We’ve also compiled a simple playlist of English language breathing and meditation resources specifically for kids that could help on the DOH YouTube channel here: https://shorturl.at/Yrg92