How to Help a Child with Anxiety in the Classroom

Do you work with children who are anxious at school or at home?  Learn how to help a child with anxiety in the classroom with these 10 interventions.  Parents and teachers can be part of the support system for a child who experiences anxiety.

Do you work with children who are anxious at school or at home? Anxiety is one of the most common mental health issues in the United States, and it can affect people of all ages. For students, anxiety can interfere with their ability to learn and participate in class. Here are some tips for helping a child with anxiety in the classroom. Learn how to help a child with anxiety in the classroom with these 10 interventions. Parents and teachers can be part of the support system for a child who experiences anxiety.

Keep in mind, it is very important to reach out to professionals, if your child is struggling. The school counselor, pediatrician, Occupational Therapists, and other medical professionals can provide resources and help for anxiety disorders.

Symptoms of Anxiety in the Classroom

It’s important for parents and teachers to recognize the signs of anxiety in children throughout their daily life. Common anxiety symptoms include:

  • Trouble sleeping
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Constant worry or fear
  • Avoidance of certain activities or people in social situations (i.e. social anxiety)
  • Low self-esteem
  • Very nervous about tests, homework, or big assignments
  • Physical symptoms such as headaches, stomach aches, dizziness, etc. 

How to Help a Child with Anxiety in the Classroom

Many children experience anxiety in the classroom or at home. When teachers and parents are aware and trained in providing various interventions for anxious students or anxious children at home, you can take a proactive approach to managing anxiety. Not only do these tips help anxious kids, they also can help the entire class with emotional regulation and behaviors. 

Try incorporating these suggestions for your whole class into your daily routine. When it becomes a habit, it can help provide predictability and reduce anxiety triggers. 

Effective Strategies for Student Anxiety

Here are suggestions of how to help a child with anxiety in the classroom, prevent panic attacks, reduce daily stressors, and improve understanding of anxiety panic disorder.

Talking and Explaining

When something happens that we don’t expect, it can be really scary- especially for kids. But talking about what happened and why it isn’t going to happen again can help to ease a child’s anxiety. If you’re not sure how to start the conversation, here are a few tips:

  • Find a time when you can talk without being interrupted. This way, your child will feel like they have your full attention.
  • Try to use simple words and short sentences. This will help your child understand what you’re saying.
  • Encourage your child to ask questions. This will help them feel more comfortable talking about their fears.
  • Be patient and calm. It’s important not to make your child feel like their fears are irrational or silly.

Distraction

As a teacher or parents, distraction is a powerful tool in your arsenal when it comes to managing anxiety in your students. When students are feeling anxious, their thoughts tend to spiral inward, and they can become fixated on whatever is causing their stress. This can make it difficult for them to focus on their work or participate in class. However, if you can help them to redirect their attention to something else, it can be a powerful way to break the cycle of anxiety. 

Distraction can come in many forms, from simple activities like fidgeting with a pencil, deep breathing exercises, or doodling, to more involved tasks like working on a puzzle or playing a game. The key is to find an activity that will capture the student’s attention and help them to relax. With a little trial and error, you’ll be able to find the perfect distraction for each of your students.

Visual Schedules

Many students feel anxious when they are unsure of what is going to happen next. This can lead to meltdowns and behavioral issues in the classroom. One way to help prevent anxiety is to use visual schedules. 

Visual schedules can be used by teachers to let students know what the daily schedule looks like, or by parents to show kids what activities they will be doing during the day. Having a visual schedule can help reduce anxiety by giving kids a sense of control and predictability. It can also help them understand expectations and stay on track. Visual schedules are a simple tool that can make a big difference for students who struggle with anxiety.

Reassurance

Reassurance is a powerful tool that can be used to prevent anxiety in students of all ages. When students feel insecure or uncertain, a few words of reassurance from their teacher or parent can help to calm their fears and set their minds at ease. 

Reassuring words can also help to build students’ confidence and encourage them to take risks. As a result, teachers and parents should not hesitate to use reassurance when they see their students struggling with anxiety. By offering a few words of support, they can help their students to overcome their fears and reach their full potential.

Quiet Time

Quiet time is a wonderful way for teachers to help prevent anxiety in their students. It is a time for the students to relax, de-stress and recharge. Quiet time can be used in the classroom or at home, and it can be as short as five minutes or as long as thirty minutes. Here are some suggestions:

  • Create a calming environment for the whole class: Make sure the room is quiet and dark, and that there are no distractions. You may want to play soft music or have a relaxing scent diffusing in the room. Another option, is to just have a small calming corner where students can reset.
  • Get comfortable: Encourage your students to find a comfortable position, whether it be lying down or sitting up. They should feel free to move around if they need to, but tell them to try to stay still.
  • Breathe deeply: Deep breathing is one of the quickest and most effective ways to reduce stress and anxiety. Have your students focus on their breath, and count each inhale and exhale.
  • Visualize relaxation: Have your students picture a calm and peaceful place, such as a beach or a meadow. They should focus on the details of their vision, such as the sound of the waves or the smell of the flowers.

By creating a calming environment and encouraging deep breathing and relaxation, you can help your students find relief from stress and anxiety in the classroom and at home. 

Physical Activity

Incorporating physical activities into the classroom, such as aerobic exercises, yoga, in class brain breaks and recess, can go a long way in reducing stress levels. These activities help to let off steam and increase endorphins, which can lead to a more positive outlook on life. 

In addition, making time for these activities outside of school can also be beneficial. Many teachers find that their students are less anxious when they have regular physical activity at home as well. As a result, it is important to encourage parents to make time for their children to be active. By incorporating physical activity into the lives of your students, you can help reduce anxiety and create a more positive learning environment.

Relaxation Techniques and Mindfulness

Relaxation techniques and mindfulness can help students with anxiety in the classroom by teaching them how to control and focus their thoughts. For many students, anxiety is caused by ruminating on negative thoughts or worrying about what could happen in the future. 

Relaxation techniques and mindfulness can help students to break this cycle of negative thinking by teaching them how to focus on the present moment. Try this 5 Senses Grounding Technique.

Relaxation techniques can help to reduce the physical symptoms of anxiety, such as a racing heart or shortness of breath. By teaching your students to be independent in deep breathing exercises and mindfulness techniques it can help them manage their anxiety in the classroom.

Grading Anxiety

Teachers and parents can play an important role in helping your students to manage their anxiety. One way to do this is to educate them on how to grade their anxiety levels. When children are able to identify and label their anxiety, it can help them to feel more in control of their emotions. This can be a very helpful prevention tool for young children.

It can be helpful to use a visual aids to illustrate the different levels of anxiety. For example, you could use a stoplight or thermometer system, with green meaning “no anxiety,” yellow meaning “moderate anxiety,” and red meaning “high anxiety.” By teaching your students how to grade their anxiety, you can help them to feel more empowered and capable of self-regulation.

How to Help a Child With Anxiety In the Classroom Conclusion

Anxiety in the classroom is a real issue for children today. Learning how to help a child with anxiety in the classroom is very important for all school staff. These are only a few of the many things that you can do to help children with anxiety in the classroom. Every child is different, so it may take some trial and error to find what works best for each individual student. The important thing is to start helping your students today. With your patience, understanding, and these helpful tips, you will make a world of difference in the lives of your anxious students. Reach out to professionals for individualized support.

Read more about Anxiety in Children

IEP Goals for Anxiety

3 Strategies to Help Children with Anxiety

How to Use Yoga to Reduce Anxiety in Children

Sleep, Bedtime Routines, Anxiety, and Autism

Sensory modulation, anxiety and ritual behaviors

6 Tips to Decrease Anxiety when Writing

Reference:  Gobrial, E., & Raghavan, R. (2017). Calm child programme: Parental programme for anxiety in children and young people with autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disabilities. Journal of Intellectual Disabilities, 1744629517704536.

Visual Supports for Self Regulation and Classroom Participation

Visual Supports: Schedules, Self-Regulation, & Classroom Inclusion

Designed by a school based occupational therapist, Thia Triggs, this color coded visual support system is suitable for your children with autism, emotional behavioral disturbance, intellectual disabilities, ADHD, communication disabilities, and more.  Pictures are cute, engaging, and easy for children to understand.

Visual supports for self-regulation can be pivotal in implementing an IEP in the least restrictive environment. This digital download includes 283 visuals.  FIND OUT MORE INFORMATION.

Do you work with children who are anxious at school or at home?  Learn how to help a child with anxiety in the classroom with these 10 interventions.  Parents and teachers can be part of the support system for a child who experiences anxiety.