How Can You As a Teacher Help a Child with Anxiety?

14th April 2025

Today, let's discuss the rising concern for modern-day teachers. Yes, you got it right! The unacceptable yet real 'student anxiety' situations in classrooms.

First of all, let's accept that it is difficult even to understand how those playful, innocent, and mischievous children can face anxiety so early in their lives. At the age, when they should be studying and playing, anxiety knocks them off their track! Sad, right?

If you are already a teacher or engaged in online teacher training courses, you must have wondered at least once: how do you calm student anxiety? And what exactly is making them anxious and stressed?

Let this blog give you some direction.

What Student Anxiety Looks Like- the Signs and Symptoms

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), about 7% of children worldwide deal with anxiety disorders.

If you pay attention, you can see it in their eyes. That student who always looks down at their desk? Or the one who suddenly 'has to go' right before it is their turn to read? The truth is probably, they are not just being shy or difficult - they are feeling nervous inside.

And guess what? Sometimes, you might even overlook these signs:
 

• Constantly fidgeting or biting their nails.
• Complaining about stomach aches or headaches often.
• Seeming terrified of getting answers wrong.
• Asking 'what if' questions over and over.
• Freezing up during tests or when reading aloud.

Some teachers think kids who act nervous are just lazy or stubborn. They might say, 'Pay attention!' or 'Stop wasting time!' when really the child is feeling scared inside. It is easy to get mad or impatient during such situations! But do you really want to scare the child more?

No, right? What can you do then?

Try not to jump to those quick judgments. Instead, watch for patterns in how kids behave. Why does this child always need the washroom break before show-and-tell? Why does this little kid tap the pencil on the desk non-stop during tests? Be the teacher kids trust when they are worried. This means getting creative with ways to help them!
 

Why Should You Do Creative Activities to Help Anxious Kids

Honestly, most children do not know how to say 'I'm feeling anxious right now.' Educators who are trained in a teacher training course claim that they found many students do not even understand what is happening to them.

This is where creative approaches come in handy. Creative activities tap into feelings in ways that words cannot. They give kids ways to express their worries and burn off nervous energy without having that uneasy pressure to find the 'right' words.

Classroom-Friendly Creative Ideas You Can Try Tomorrow

Trying to be creative does not mean you would stress out with brainstorming sessions. No, you do not need a new curriculum or expensive tools. You only need a shift in perspective and a few flexible tools you can start using right away like the following:

1. Movement That Calms Kids Down

When kids feel anxious, that energy gets stuck in their bodies. If they cannot release it, forget about them focusing on learning.

In such cases, try out simple movement breaks that are of real help:
 

• Allow quick 'brain breaks' between lessons like a 30-second stretch, a silly dance, or even just walking to fill up water bottles.
• Try chair push-ups- pushing up from the seat with arms- during period transition times.
• Use rhythmic clapping patterns to refocus the class or the lessons.

Moving around helps with stress- it gets oxygen flowing to the brain, which helps kids think better.

2. Acting and Storytelling to Practice Handling Tough Situations

You know this very well: kids learn through stories and play. Acting out scenarios gives them a safe way to practice handling scary situations.

Why not try these then:
 

• A puppet to show what happens when someone forgets their homework, then show a calm way to solve the problem.
• Letting kids create their own 'worry superhero' who knows exactly how to handle big feelings.
• Reading books about characters facing challenges and asking, 'What would you do if you were them?'

You will see a significant difference because you are normalizing their worries while teaching them they can handle tough situations.

3. Art That Speaks When Words Can't

For many children, especially those who struggle with words or have learning differences, art is their favorite language.

You can carry out simple art activities like:
 

• Drawing what their worry looks like as a silly monster.
• Creating a wheel of colors that represent different feelings.
• Keeping a journal where they can doodle or glue pictures.
• Painting what feeling safe looks like to them.

In these ways, you help them open up about their feelings which would never happen otherwise. It is not about getting the perfect artwork but an honest expression.

4. Make a Chill-Out Corner

When anxiety hits hard, kids need a place to reset. So, what is the best way to help them relax?

Try setting up a cozy spot with:
 

• Softer lighting or a small tent-like space.
• Headphones to block noise.
• Simple cards showing different emotions.
• Cards with breathing exercises like 'smell the flower, blow out the candle.'
• Things to fidget with like stress balls or kinetic sand.

Also, confirm your students know this spot is a tool to help them feel better, not a punishment. Teach them when to use it so they feel in control of their emotions.

5. Check-In on Feelings Daily

Feelings are easier to handle when we catch them early. Quick check-ins help you spot struggles before they become meltdowns.

Consider doing these simple check-ins:
 

• Color cards on desks- green = great, yellow = so-so, red = struggling.
• Quick journal drawings about how they are feeling.
• A morning question like, 'Is your heart feeling sunny, cloudy, or stormy today?'

This helps kids become aware of their feelings. They understand that emotions are just part of being human and not something to hide.

6. Make Your Day Predictable

Here's a quick fact-check! Anxious kids feel safe and do well when they know what is coming next. Because surprises and sudden changes can trigger panic or shutdowns.

Help them by using:
 

• Picture schedules in places where everyone can see them.
• Simple warnings before transitions like 'In 5 minutes, we will clean up.'
• A quick preview of tomorrow's schedule before going home.

This gives anxious kids a sense of safety through routine, even if the lesson content changes.

How About Partnering with Parents and Specialists

There is no denying that it is not just a one-person task to help anxious children. If you notice ongoing signs of anxiety, gently talk with the child's parents or caregivers.

Share what you see not as a problem but as something you care about. Maybe share some of your classroom calming tools that parents can try at home.

Moreover, if your school has counselors or special education teachers, team up to create plans personalized to specific kids. Anxiety often hides behind behavior issues, and working together helps bring understanding and support.

Bottom Line

Educators who pursue online teaching courses understand that a student's anxiety greatly affects their learning capabilities. To make things better, safe, and helpful, consider getting creative but in simple ways. Hopefully, this blog gave you some ideas you can use with ease. Let's strive to make small positive changes in the classroom that can make a lifetime of difference for an anxious, stressed, and overwhelmed student!

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Written By : Varsha