Anxiety is a common emotion that everyone experiences, however, some children can have higher levels than others. Many children experience anxiety before a test, presentation, or a big game, but for other children, they may feel anxious without any of these triggers. Anxiety in the classroom can take many shapes, some examples are an upset stomach, troublesome behavior, or even a learning disorder. There are also several types of anxiety disorders with specific symptoms. If you are worried that your child or students may be experiencing anxiety in the classroom, below are some signs to look out for.
Evading Social or Group Work Situations
Children may evade or protest activities in the classroom that make them feel anxious or uncomfortable such as group projects, sitting at lunch with other children, or speaking out in front of the class. Sometimes children who experience social anxiety have an easier time conveying what they know with a teacher in a one-on-one engagement.
Overuse of the Nurse’s Office
Anxiety can show itself through physical symptoms, not just mentally. If a child has frequent headaches, nausea, or stomach aches that have an unknown cause, it could be from anxiety.
Difficulty Answering Questions
A child with anxiety may do well with homework, tests, and one-on-one discussions with the teacher, but not when they are called on in class. Anxiety may cause children to freeze if they are called on to answer questions in front of a class, even if they know the answer.
Poor Attendance
For children with anxiety in the classroom, the easiest way to deal with it is to not go at all. School refusal is a common sign of anxiety in children.
If you notice these signs in your child or student, it is important to dig deeper to determine if they are due to an anxiety disorder. If you think your child is showing symptoms of an anxiety disorder, it is suggested that you reach out to your child’s primary healthcare provider to figure out the next step to take.
New Alliance Academy in Paramus, NJ is a school that provides educational and ancillary therapeutic services for high school teenagers experiencing acute psychological distress.