What does Anxiety Look Like In the Classroom?
- counselorsvibes
- Sep 23, 2023
- 3 min read
Updated: Sep 24, 2023
Just like adults, children and young people feel worried and anxious at times.
Signs of Anxiety
Some kids will display what we expect to see with anxiety. They’ll express worries or negative thinking patterns. They’ll jump to conclusions or express feelings of nervousness. They might be fidgety or hyperaroused. They might cry or show signs of separation anxiety from caregivers. But they might do none of that!
Other Signs of Anxiety
1 – Low frustration tolerance
Students may have a low tolerance for mistakes or changes to the routine. Mistakes or missteps in assignments or speaking may throw them into a tailspin. They may value the predictability of the daily routine and become very upset when there are unexpected changes.
2 – Frequent Questions
That student who always has their hand raised (or calls out) with questions? They could be feeling anxious. Wanting to know about what’s next or what might happen could be their way of seeking reassurance, stability, or comfort. Teachers can feel annoyed that student is constantly asking questions but this is what the student needs in order to feel reassured. I recommend explaining things to the students what will be happening next before announcing it to the class. I know this is a big ask but it will keep the teacher from repeating themselves over and and over.
3 – Wanting constant help or assistance
Students who want the teacher right beside them the whole time they are working may be dealing with anxiety (or low confidence). They could be seeking reassurance or trying to avoid the discomfort of making a mistake. The same goes for students who always want to work with a partner. Sure, they could just be seeking social connections, but they might also be seeking comfort from having a peer they check work with.
4 – Frequent bathroom or nurse trips
Students seeking constant bathroom or nurse passes could also be dealing with anxiety. On the one hand, they could be trying to avoid uncomfortable tasks or situations that are causing anxiety. On the other hand, they could be experiencing physiological symptoms of anxiety like upset stomach or frequent need to use the restroom. I see this a lot for Kindergarten and first-grade students.
5- Quiet compliance
The student who is quiet and follows the rules all the time might simply be quiet and follow the rules. But they might also be feeling anxious! They might not want to speak up and they are anxious about what might happen if they are in any way non-compliant. Does quiet compliance always equal anxiety? Of course not, but it’s something to keep in mind.
6 – High achievement & perfectionistic tendencies
Perfectionistic tendencies are often attributed to anxiety, which may also be the case for our students. Our high achievers might also have some feelings of anxiety. What might happen if they don’t achieve high?!
Anxiety in the Classroom
As school counselors, we aren’t diagnosing our students. Any one or two of these behavioral signs are not indicative of an anxiety disorder. But it’s essential to be mindful of what we’re seeing from our students in the classroom so that we can teach skills and offer accommodations as needed to best support their needs!
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Other ways to ease anxiety in children
As school counselors we can teach students how to recognize signs of anxiety in themselves
encourage students to manage their anxiety and ask for help when they need it children of all ages find routines reassuring, so try to stick to regular daily routines where possible
if the student is anxious because of distressing events, such as a bereavement or separation, look for books or films that will help them to understand their feelings
if you know a change, such as a house move, send home information on how parents can prepare students by talking to them abount what is going to happen and explain why.
practice simple relaxation techniques with students during individual sessions, such as taking 3 deep, slow breaths, breathing in for a count of 3, and out for 3.
distraction can be helpful for young children. I also like to turn an empty tissue box into a "worry" box. Get your student to write about or draw their worries and "post" them into the box. Then you can sort through the box together at the end of the day or week.
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