More Than Tummy Trouble: Signs Of Anxiety In Young Children And The Ways You’re Making It Worse

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anxiety in toddlers

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Clinginess

It’s a toddler’s natural instinct to put a literal physical barrier between themselves and what they perceive to be a threat. So whether I’m introducing her to a co-worker or cousin that lives long distance, my four-year-old is usually grabbing my knee with white knuckles as she peers from behind my thigh. Separation anxiety and nervousness with meeting new people is normal for young children, and so far my four-year-old is typically introverted taking a while to warm up to new situations and people. The key is knowing your child’s personality and not forcing them to be a social butterfly. Whether it was visiting a Pre-K or going to an amusement park, what I found helped my daughter was preparing her for situations and talking through them. Knowing what to expect and how to manage situations has started to help her be as confident being herself in new situations as she is at home.

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