Student Wellbeing

Supporting a Child with Worry, Fear, or Anxiety

Key Steps to Help:

• Acknowledge their feelings – Let your child know it’s okay to feel worried or scared.

• Talk openly – Create a safe space for your child to talk about their worries.

• Encourage gradual exposure – Use the Stepladder Approach to help your child face fears one step at a time.

• Praise efforts – Recognise and celebrate every step your child takes, no matter how small.

The Stepladder Approach

A step-by-step method to help children gradually face situations that cause them anxiety.

How It Works:

• Start small – Choose a situation that causes mild anxiety and practice it until your child feels comfortable.

• Take the next step – Gradually introduce more challenging situations.

• Repeat and build – Continue progressing up the ladder at your child’s pace.

Why It Works:

• Reduces avoidance and builds confidence

• Helps form positive, safe associations

• Strengthens coping skills

• Provides a sense of progress and achievement

Tips for Success:

• Involve your child in planning the stepladder.

• Turn it into a fun challenge, especially for younger kids.

• Teach helpful self-talk, e.g., “I can do this” or “with more practice it will get better”.

• Help them think realistically, e.g., “What happened last time?”

• Reflect after each step – talk about what went well and what could be tried next.

• Use age-appropriate rewards for effort and progress.

• Offer lots of praise – encouragement builds courage.