Childhood Anxiety & School Refusal: A Social Worker's Guide with Jessica Homicki

In this episode, Dr. Jodi Richardson sits down with social worker Jessica Homicki to explore anxiety in primary school-aged children and its impact on families. Jessica, who leads Uniting's School Attendance Support Program in Southern Melbourne, brings over ten years of experience working with families affected by trauma and disadvantage.Together, they discuss:How anxiety presents differently in children aged 5-12The connection between early childhood experiences, attachment, and anxietyWhy avoidance becomes such a significant part of the anxiety picturePractical strategies for parents who are struggling with school refusal or "school can't"The importance of self-care for parents and why putting on your own oxygen mask first isn't selfishGaps in mental health services for primary-aged childrenThe Stop, Pause, Play framework for responding to your child's distressSmall, achievable steps for managing bedtime anxiety and sleep routinesJessica also shares valuable insights about the Window of Tolerance and provides guidance on accessing support through parenting programs like Tuning Into Kids, Bringing Up Great Kids, and Circle of Security. This conversation is essential listening for any parent navigating childhood anxiety, particularly in the wake of COVID-19's lasting impact on our children's emotional wellbeing.Links Mentioned:- Circle of Securityhttps://www.circleofsecurityinternational.com/pages/what-is-the-circle-of-security#- Tuning in to Kids and Teenshttps://tuningintokids.org.au/what-is-tuning-in-to-kids/our-programs/- Bringing up Great Kids and Parenting Adolescentshttp://bringingupgreatkids.org/en/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.