I’m not sure when you grew up, but I personally grew up in the carefree 80’s and 90’s. Life then seemed far simpler.
Did you know anxiety is one of the most common challenges our kids face today? In Canada, about 3% of children and youth experience anxiety disorders, and in the U.S., that number is closer to 10%.
While some fears are part of growing up, when anxiety starts disrupting things like sleep, school, and even speech, it’s time to take a closer look.
Anxiety can show up in all sorts of ways—generalized anxiety, social anxiety, separation anxiety, panic attacks, specific phobias, and more. It’s like a sneaky shadow that can leave kids feeling stuck, like a deer caught in headlights, or wanting to bolt away from the things that scare them. Children can also learn to avoid the intensity of their feelings by either letting an adult answer questions for them (in the case of selective mutism) or giving an easy answer (like “I am fine” even though they are not) and repressing what they are actually feeling. Bypassing the fear or avoiding it (like Timmy in this week’s Majik Kids Audio Story) might feel easier in the moment, but it often makes things harder in the long run as the behaviour is negatively reinforced.
If your child feels overwhelmed with panic, dread, or can’t find their voice in an uncomfortable situation, know they’re not alone—and neither are you.
You can be their safe place, helping them navigate their emotions. Here are a few magical tools you can try together:
Talk about the brain like it’s a team—each part playing its role in handling thoughts, feelings, emotions, fears and dreams.
Encourage them to share their feelings, whether it’s through journaling, talking to you, or even whispering to the trees.
Show them how to use positive self-talk and teach them that bravery takes time, patience, and practice.
Deep breathing, visualizing calm places, and finding creative ways to express themselves can help them rediscover their calm center. Did you know we have an incredible library of Imagination Meditations that support your kids to balance their own nervous systems?
Try role-playing or theater games to gently ease into public speaking in a fun, low-pressure way.
Get them into nature every day, as often as possible. Our bodies love and need nature time. Go outside, to the forest, lake, ocean, mountains or the park down the street. Watch your kids return to their natural way of being.
And speaking of trees and calm centers, our new audio story this week, Timmy and The Talking Trees, takes kids on an adventure into the forest, where Timmy finds safety among wise, caring trees and discovers the courage to share his thoughts and feelings with others… when for so long, he couldn’t.
It’s a heartwarming tale that helps normalize big emotions and shows kids (and grown-ups!) that talking about what’s going on inside doesn’t have to be so scary.
We hope you enjoy it! Let’s keep the conversation going, for kids and adults alike.
At Majik Kids, we strive to help kids be kids. We want to support you to raise empowered, passionate, curious, creative kids who look at the world with awe and wonder. Our audio stories, music and meditations are crafted and curated to inspire the joy sparkle in you and your kids.
We hope you’ll give Majik Kids a chance and Download the Majik Kids App!