05 Jun Anxious children in the school environment

Anxious children show amazing courage by coming into school every day in spite of overwhelming feelings of loneliness, fear and a perceived lack of belonging within school.

For those of you out there who teach children and young people who present with anxiety issues, you may already know how difficult it is for them to enter classrooms and focus on work at that moment. Recognise that positive relationships with peers and staff help significantly with feelings of social isolation and works wonders in diluting the anxiety. Make small gestures to connect emotionally with such children, a simple hello and some reassurance is hugely appreciated.

Tips for teaching young people with anxiety issues that can help in a big way!

• anxiety is a normal response in everyday life to motivate us to solve problems or avoid dangerous situations. Anxiety becomes disordered when it is more severe, long lasting and interrupts a person’s work or relationships anxiety is best overcome by confronting fears rather than avoiding them

• avoiding feared situations enables the anxiety to grow and become stronger

• the sooner fears are confronted the sooner they will improve

• practice slow relaxed breathing techniques to reduce physical symptoms

• positive talk and challenging exaggerated worries and pessimistic thoughts can reverse the negative thought cycle