Anxiety in Children

It is normal for children to feel worried from time to time. However, some children experience anxiety more often or more intensely, and this can affect their learning, friendships and everyday life.

Signs of Anxiety in Children

Children may show anxiety in different ways. Some common signs include:

• Frequent worries or fears

• Difficulty concentrating in class

• Avoiding school or social situations

• Trouble sleeping or frequent nightmares

• Tearfulness, clinginess or irritability

• Complaints of stomach aches or headaches with no medical cause

How We Support in School

At Woodchurch, we take children’s well-being seriously and put strategies in place to reduce anxiety, such as:

• Creating a calm and safe classroom environment

• Providing a quiet space for “time out” when needed

• Using supportive tools such as visual timetables and “worry boxes”

• Encouraging relaxation, breathing and mindfulness activities

• Offering regular check-ins with the class teacher or Inclusion Leader

How You Can Support at Home

Parents and carers can also make a big difference. You might try:

• Keeping daily routines predictable and consistent

• Encouraging your child to talk about their feelings

• Practising calming techniques together, such as deep breathing, gentle exercise or listening to music

• Breaking down big tasks into smaller, more manageable steps

• Praising your child for facing their worries, even in small steps

Useful Resources

• Young Minds – Anxiety in children

• NHS – Anxiety in children

• Anna Freud Centre – Supporting children’s wellbeing

• Kent SEND Information Hub

We’re Here to Help

If you are concerned about your child’s anxiety, please talk to their class teacher or our Inclusion Leader, Mrs Butcher. Together, we can agree on the right strategies and, if needed, connect with specialist support services.