Tackling Worry

Aiden Shares his Strategies for Tackling Worries!

Having worries is a common experience for elementary school children.  A little is normal, but too much can be debilitating.  I worked with 8-1, and we read the books David and the Worry Beast and Don't Feed the Worry Bug.  Both of these books are fun to read because they involve bugs and beasts that blow up like balloons when the children worry excessively!  They make a serious topic very accessible to students.   As they listen to the books they gain a quick grasp on how worry can take over, and how important it is to try to keep worries in perspective and talk about them to adults. They learn they are not alone and that everyone worries at times.  Common worries for 8-1 were tests, quizzes, athletic games, and the health of their families.   We talked about using music, deep breathing, and even talking back to the worries.  Each boy drew a picture of what their "worry bug" looks like and then told the class how they talk to it so that it "deflates."  Good ideas were shared by all!


Here are some tips for parents:

1. Acknowledge your child's fear or worry, no matter how small, and help him/her keep it in perspective.
2. Verbalize confidence in your child and offer support but don't support his avoidant behavior.  Avoiding the cause of anxiety only magnifies it for the child.
3. Make sure your child's anxiety is not the direct result of an adult placing too much pressure on him/her to achieve beyond realistic levels.
4. Acknowledge your child's efforts to combat the worry and to take risks to overcome it.
5. Seek professional advice if the anxiety persists over time and interferes with day-to-day living.

 

8-1 Shares their Worry Bugs  and Beasts!