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How to help your children cope with stress, anxiety in week of transition

WPTV's Stephanie Susskind has conversation with 'Dr. Sam'
Stephanie Susskind and Samantha Saltz
Posted at 12:05 PM, Oct 30, 2020
and last updated 2020-10-30 12:05:53-04

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — As more children are expected to return to Palm Beach County school classrooms next week amid the ongoing pandemic, WPTV's Stephanie Susskind hosted a Facebook Live conversation with Dr. Samantha Saltz to discuss how parents can help them manage the stress and anxiety.

Saltz is a board-certified child, adolescent and adult psychiatrist whose practice is based in Boca Raton.

"It's a high-stress time for adults. It's a high-stress time for students. It's a high-stress time for teachers," Saltz said. "And I think that, you know, the first thing we can do is kind of ask our children, how are they feeling? Are they doing OK? Are they stressed? Because if they're not, we don't necessarily even need to open a can of worms that may not even be, you know, existing right now."

Saltz said those children who may be feeling stressed mainly have a "fear of the unknown."

"A lot of children right now are afraid of the unknown," Saltz said.

Saltz recommended using the five senses -- touch, taste, smell, sight and hearing -- to ease anxiety.

Watch the video above for the complete discussion.