Worry Time is an effective and practical strategy for managing worries designed for children between the ages of 5 and 11. Worry Time involves scheduling a dedicated period to acknowledge and discuss worries, providing children with a structured approach to address their thoughts and concerns.

By allocating a specific time for worries, children can learn to save their worries for that designated period, helping to alleviate anxiety and create a sense of control. This activity encourages children to draw their own Worry Time on a clock, emphasising the importance of setting aside time to address their worries and communicate them with a trusted adult.

Benefits:

• Managing Worries: Worry Time provides children with a proactive method for managing their worries. By designating a specific time to focus on their concerns, children learn to separate worry from other activities during the day. This helps prevent worries from overwhelming their thoughts and allows them to address their worries more effectively during a dedicated time slot.
• Distraction Technique: Worry Time acts as a distraction technique during the day. By encouraging children to save their worries for the designated time, they can redirect their attention to other activities, promoting a sense of control and reducing the immediate impact of worries on their daily lives. This technique helps children develop resilience and fosters a balanced approach to managing their concerns.
• Communication and Discussion: Worry Time creates an opportunity for open communication and discussion between children and trusted adults. By saving their worries for the designated time, children can express their concerns, seek guidance, and receive reassurance from a supportive grown-up. This process promotes emotional connection, trust, and the development of healthy coping strategies.
• Time Management and Structure: By drawing their Worry Time on a clock, children learn about time management and the importance of setting aside dedicated periods for specific activities. This activity is great for children who thrive on structure and routine, helping them to feel more secure and in control of their worries.
• Calming: Worry Time emphasizes the importance of winding down after the designated period. Encouraging children to engage in a calming activity after Worry Time helps them transition from the focus on worries to a state of relaxation. This promotes emotional regulation, self-soothing, and a sense of well-being.

This resource is a valuable tool that teaches children the importance of managing worries. By incorporating designated time for worries, children can experience a greater sense of control and reduce anxiety throughout their daily lives. The activity promotes open communication, time management skills, and the development of healthy coping strategies.