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(Unit 3) Topic 7: The Anxious Child

1 Clock Hour of Early Childhood Education

Classroom Activities

Topic 7 Page 9

There are a variety of ways you can help children manage their anxiety. Here are our top 5 activities to help worriers and create a supportive classroom environment.

1) Roleplay
Sit down with the child or even the whole class and discuss situations that make them feel anxious. Act out the scenarios with them, taking turns who plays what role. You may need to model appropriate behaviors and reactions, playing the role of the child the first time. This roleplaying will allow students to practice stressful experiences in a safe and non-threatening space.

2) Model positive self-talk
Children need to know that everyone worries, and that it is a normal part of life. As a teacher, you can show students how to manage fear by talking out a worry that you have. Show the student how to remain positive and not be swallowed by negative thoughts. Use phrases like, “I believe that I can ______” or “I’m going to get better at _______”.

3) Use Art
Creating art is great emotional outlet for some children. Provide students with materials and prompts to express their worries. Art gives children a way to work through negative thoughts, especially when they don’t feel like “talking it out”.

4) Blow Bubbles
Bubbles are an engaging way to help children practice deep breathing. When a child is anxious, their breathing may become fast and sporadic. Taking deep breaths to blow bubbles slows down their breathing and calms the body and mind.

5) Play
Free play gives students the opportunity to make choices and naturally work through emotions and situations with peers. There have been many studies about how the decline of play in order to make room for academics is causing a rise in mental disorders, most notably depression and anxiety. Children need time to not have someone telling them how to do something every moment of the day. Give your students time to be kids!