Wellbeing

Anxiety in primary school-aged children

Experiencing anxiety every now and then is a normal part of growing up as children develop and learn about the world around them. It’s quite common for primary school-aged children (around 5- to 12-years-old) to feel anxious about a variety of situations and objects, especially as they face new experiences. For most children in this age group, anxiety comes and goes, and doesn’t last long.

At this age, anxious feelings range from ‘butterflies’ before a playdate or test to frequent feelings of panic that can prevent your child from doing things they want to do, such as going to school. It can be hard to recognise anxiety in children since many of the signs like stomach aches, trouble sleeping, and behavioural changes may also be symptoms of physical illness or just part of a phase of growing up.

When a child’s anxious thoughts and feelings have an ongoing impact on their ability to enjoy and/or participate in one or more aspects of their daily lives it is important to seek further support. 

Causes and triggers of anxiety in children

Anxiety is generally caused by a combination of factors including genetics/family history, and sometimes experiences of trauma or stressful events. Examples of experiences or anxiety triggers that are common in primary school-aged children are listed as follows:

• Younger children (around 5- to 8-years-old) may feel anxious about the dark, monsters or ghosts. They may experience separation anxiety when leaving their parent or caregiver. One of the biggest events in this age group is the shift from home or childcare to primary school. New routines, rules and changing friendships naturally lead to some uncomfortable feelings of uncertainty. At school, children need to practice skills such as independent toileting, eating and working, as well as the social skills of sharing and negotiating, which can be challenging and overwhelming for them at times.
• Later in primary school (at around 9- to 12-years-old) most children are experiencing lots of changes – in their bodies, friendships, school environment and family relationships. They often have a growing awareness of local, national and global events like climate change and homelessness, which can add to their worries. Greater use of social media can lead children to feel pressured to look or act a certain way, while increasing the risk of cyberbullying and therefore the risk of anxiety.
• Challenges with friendships may begin in these years including experiencing bullying or engaging in bullying behaviour, so it is important to be aware of any signs (physical or emotional). Signs that your child is experiencing bullying might include:
  • cuts or scratches
  • missing property
  • being teary or withdrawn; or
  • not wanting to go to school or staying close to teachers.
• If your child is engaging in bullying they may talk about other children in an aggressive way or have possessions that don’t belong to them.
• Children who have experienced natural disasters, like bushfires, flood or drought, and the trauma and family stress that often comes with them, have a higher risk of experiencing mental health difficulties and may need professional support. It’s important to remain curious in the weeks, months and even years following a disaster. Check in regularly with your child about how they’re feeling and keep an eye out for changes in their behaviour.

Article from: Emerging Minds Australia

Identifying anxiety early and supporting your child to manage anxiety can make a big difference. If you feel anxiety is significantly impacting your child’s wellbeing, friendships, school achievement, please contact me : connie.bof@sjwreservoirnth.catholic.edu.au

Connie Bof

Wellbeing Leader