Organization of parental counseling to reduce anxiety in older preschool children

Abstract

The article substantiates the relevance of counseling parents of senior preschool children with high levels of anxiety in order to reduce anxiety through the use of sand therapy in the parent - child dyad and parent counseling. High anxiety in children aged 6-7 during the period of school preparation is considered an indicator of tension in the child - parent relationship system and a deficit of emotional support skills within the family; therefore, the article analyzes and pilots a model of parent counseling aimed at reducing anxiety in senior preschoolers through parallel work with adults and joint corrective and developmental sessions in the parent - child dyad. The purpose of the study is to substantiate a comprehensive support program combining parental psychoeducation, training in behavioral algorithms for supporting the child, and projective methods that ensure the safe expression of experiences. The study was conducted in a preschool organization; the sample included five dyads selected based on the results of primary diagnostics indicating a high level of anxiety in children. Methodologically, the study is grounded in a humanistic approach, phenomenological description of interaction dynamics, and multimodal intervention integrating verbal and nonverbal techniques. The program comprised three stages: a preparatory stage (two counseling sessions including discussion, reflection on the relationship between parental attitudes and the child's condition, and the role play First time in a new place to practice supportive behavior); a core stage (a series of joint sand therapy sessions with greeting/farewell rituals and exercises The magical world of sand , Excavations/Find the treasure and My beautiful country , accompanied by observation of nonverbal responses and interaction styles); and a consolidation stage (two counseling sessions focused on cognitive restructuring of parental beliefs and activation of resources using the metaphorical associative cards Map of my resources and the practice Self-help diary ).