Anxiety
Feelings of anxiety can be normal but it can become a major disorder when it starts to interfere with normal daily routines such as school and relationships with others. There are many great resources about anxiety and what the symptoms may look like in your child. Some of the symptoms that children may exhibit but are not limited to are:
- Agitation
- Restlessness
- Inattention, poor focus
- Somatic symptoms like headaches or stomachaches
- Avoidance
- Tantrums
- Crying
- Refusing to go to school
- Meltdowns before school about clothing, hair, shoes, socks
- Meltdowns after school about homework
- Difficulties with transitions within school, and between school and an activity/sport
- Difficulty settling down for bed
- Having high expectations for school work, homework and sports performance
As School Counselors, we can help your student manage their anxiety, so please feel free to contact us for support. The following are more resources about anxiety, the symptoms, and what you as parents can do to help support your child:
Resources for students on anxiety and worry:
Wemberly Worried by Kevin Henkes read aloud: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tkuXc0htNGk
Wilma Jean the Worry Machine by Julia Cook read aloud: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yfva5ltdpEw
David and the Worry Beast by Anne Marie Guanci read aloud: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tgbx4ic71OU