Gathering together as a community to discuss anxiety and the affects it has on our tamariki.

Through our twice-termly SENCO/Mana Ake meetings, the Southwest Hub recognised the growing need from our community to learn more about anxiety and how to help our children overcome some of their worries and concerns.

Jonathon and Victoria from Mana Ake held a fantastic workshop for us at Our Lady of the Assumption School. We had parents attend from all four of our primary schools in the Southwest Hub.

It was great to see our community come together to learn, share and discuss the issue of anxiety.

Jonathon covered many aspects of anxiety including:

• Defining anxiety and factors that contribute to its presence

• Identifying worries in ourselves and tamariki / what is ‘normal’ in relation to brain development

• 5 practical steps to emotional coaching in the home to help build emotional intelligence in our tamariki

• Family-based support strategies for everyday use in the home

• Further resources to help support heightened emotions

It was really great to see parents engage in conversation with one another and share their experiences. A big thank you to Mana Ake for their informative presentation.