Anxiety Toolbox:

Tips for Parents and Educators



Anxiety is one of the most prevalent childhood mental health issues. Often times parents and educators are looking for tips and tricks to help students cope with their anxious feelings. This website is intended to help provide some support whether a child has been formally diagnosed with an anxiety disorder or is just presenting with anxious feelings.





What Anxious Kids Look Like


Kids can present anxiety in many different ways. Some signs that a child is anxious are:


  • Scared or shy: They can not be easily reassured or comforted in new situations.
  • Sad/Upset: At times, children may lack confidence or have a poor self-image. They may be unsure about their own ability.
  • Angry, Aggressive, or Inflexible
    • Anxious children find routines comforting and when schedules are changed they may become irritable.
    • They may have highly emotional responses to seemingly minor problems often due to their own fears about what is going to happen.
  • Inattentiveness in the classroom. These children may be internally distracted by their thoughts. Parents and teacher may see them staring into space, fidgeting frequently, or having difficulty staying on task.
  • Refusal or reluctance to try new things such as birthday parties, playdates, car lane, entering school independently.

For more information about the signs and symptoms of anxiety visit: https://childmind.org/article/classroom-anxiety-in-children/