Category: Anxiety
While many students will settle into school routines with ease, two psycho-social issues currently confront a number of Australian children in primary and junior secondary years – school refusal and separation anxiety. While adjustment to school can take time, the pandemic has also contributed to increased feelings of uncertainty, stress and anxiety for some children.
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Helping to reduce pandemic fatigue and fear in children
Pandemic fatigue refers to the mental exhaustion that comes from the sustained increase of stress and uncertainty during the global pandemic of COVID-19. 1 The devastating impact of the coronavirus threatens our sense of control and safety causing concern, fear, and excessive worry. Increasingly, the issues surrounding COVID-19 and other life-threatening local, national, and global
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Separation anxiety – revised ebooklet available
Separation anxiety can affect children of all ages. About four per cent of primary school age children experience excessive separation anxiety when separated from their parent or primary care giver [1]. Typically, these children persistently worry about being forgotten, or fear their parent/carer being harmed or not returning. Separation anxiety and associated fears can also be
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Working with children who are anxious (new ed. book 2) available now
Many people, including young children and adolescents, struggle with anxiety on a daily basis. Australian school psychologists have identified anxiety as the most common issue encountered in their work with students and their families in primary schools;[1] with one in five children and adolescents having elevated symptoms of anxiety.[2] High levels of anxiety negatively impact
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Help prevent anxiety (new ed. 1)
Australian school psychologists have identified anxiety as the most common issue encountered in their work with students and their families in primary schools.[1] One in five children and adolescents have elevated symptoms of anxiety.[2] Early intervention is key to promoting positive mental health and strong learning outcomes. This ebooklet provides a brief overview of anxiety and a
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Reduce anxiety: Create a safe classroom and school environment
There is often no single cause for anxiety. Common risk factors include having a parent with anxiety, stressful life events, health issues, frequent lack of sleep, neurodevelopmental disorders, learning disabilities and temperament. Children who are exposed to one or more stressful or traumatic life events are more likely to have high levels of anxiety. Such
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Separation anxiety is part of normal childhood development. It begins around six months of age and typically resolves by the time children complete preschool. A healthy level of separation anxiety indicates the development of a close bond and attachment to the primary caregiver. However, about 4 per cent of primary school age children experience excessive
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Students who don’t speak up in class
Many children do not feel comfortable speaking publicly in class. When a question is asked these children will often break eye contact with the teacher, pretend to be deep in thought, write something in their notebook, squirm in their seat, or elbow the person next to them to in an attempt to distract others from
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NEW RELEASE: Working with children who are shy (revised) ebooklet
Feeling shy can be a normal part of a child or young person’s life, especially when new people or situations are encountered. However, shyness becomes a concern when it occurs in most situations and interactions, and interferes with relationships and schoolwork, or if the child is frequently nervous, socially anxious or withdrawn. The revised ebooklet
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Good teaching practice to help reduce anxiety – a few ideas
Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health issue for Australian children and adolescents. One in five children and adolescents have a range of elevated symptoms of anxiety.[1] Barrett, P., (2014) Treatment guidance for common health disorders: Childhood anxiety disorders. InPsych, The Bulletin of the Australian … Continue reading Many are not recognised, treated or appropriately supported.[2] Orygen
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