Anxiety is an issue that affects people of all ages, including schoolchildren. When children are faced with anxiety, they might not know how to label or process the emotions that they are feeling. Further, anxiety can cause kids to struggle with educational and social pursuits. Teachers can better their students’ experiences by learning how to help with anxiety.
Recognize Individual Struggles
Teachers must be aware that anxiety does not manifest the same way in every child. Some students may not complete assignments on time because they are afraid of making errors. Other students might dread going to recess every day because social interactions are challenging for them. Recognizing the personal nature of anxiety demonstrates the need for individual solutions.
Adjust Lesson Plans
Reading books on dealing with anxiety can help teachers learn how to adjust lesson plans to reduce the occurrence of triggers. For example, the fear of being called out in class for making mistakes might prevent students from participating. Teachers can incorporate more small-group discussions and cases of positive reinforcement to encourage healthy participation.
Seek Additional Support Systems
Furthermore, teachers have to be aware that they are not solely responsible for addressing the issues with anxiety that their students are having. In reading books on dealing with anxiety, teachers can learn strategies for coordinating with other sources of support, such as the students’ parents and guidance counselors. When adults work together, children can feel cared for and encouraged.