Cool Little Kids: Helping parents tackle childhood anxiety

Does your child worry more than most kids their age?

Saying goodbye at preschool turns into tears. A new activity gets a flat no before you've even finished explaining it. Bedtime takes an hour of reassurance.

If that sounds familiar, Cool Little Kids was built for families like yours.

It's a free, five-week program for parents and carers of 3 to 6 year olds. It's designed for children with a shy, quiet, nervous or anxious temperament.

Macquarie University's Centre for Emotional Health developed it. The program has run successfully across Australia for more than 10 years.

Normally it costs $180 through Macquarie University. South Eastern Community Connect (SECC) is running it for free at The SECC Hub in Mascot. It's free for families in the City of Sydney, Bayside, Randwick, Woollahra and Waverley LGAs.

What you'll walk away with:

• A clear picture of how shyness and anxiety take hold in young children

• A step by step way to help your child face fears, gradually and gently

• Practical ways to build your child's confidence

• An honest look at the parenting habits that keep anxiety going, without meaning to

• Tools to help your child become more independent

• A way to help your child keep their thoughts accurate rather than catastrophic

Parents tell us Cool Little Kids has helped with saying hello and goodbye, separating at preschool, playdates and parties, new activities like swimming lessons, and going to sleep.

Five Mondays, 10am to 12pm, at The SECC Hub, 1007 Botany Rd, Mascot:

• Monday 24 August

• Monday 31 August

• Monday 7 September

• Monday 14 September

• Monday 21 September

This program is for parents and carers only. There's no childminding on site. It's also not designed for children who've experienced trauma. If that's your situation, get in touch and we'll point you toward the right support.

Ruming Yang, SECC's accredited Cool Kids and Cool Little Kids facilitator, runs every session.

Places are limited to keep the group small enough to be the most value for you. Book now. Ruming will call to confirm your spot and check it's the right fit for your family.

Call (02) 7903 0607 or 0432 080 009, or email ruming.yang@secc.org.au