Anxiety is the most common mental health issue on the planet. Therefore, it would be unwise to assume it cannot impact children, too. An anxious child can’t always explain what they feel. However, the effects may be more obvious than you realize. One setting in which anxiety can really shift a child’s life is at school.
Working in conjunction with your child’s teachers, you can stay on top of the symptoms. You can recognize—as early as possible—when something needs to be done. It all begins with learning how to identify the signs. From there, you can begin offering some of the much-needed help.
5 Ways Anxiety Affects School Performance
1. Anxiety is Upsetting and Distracting
If your child is struggling with anxiety, they will mostly like feel discomfort at school. They feel upset but don’t know why. In addition, in its early stages, anxiety is not consistent. Your child is uneasy one day but fine the next. This might lead you to dismiss it as “normal.” As a result, anxiety goes unaddressed. It has time to distract them, impede their concentration (see #2), and become an obstacle to learning.
2. Distraction Hampers Concentration
The distraction mentioned in #1 above directly decreases one’s ability to focus. Anxiety demands all of your child’s attention. When they inevitably fall behind, anxiety can also scare them out of asking for help.
3. Working Memory is Affected
You might call it “short-term memory,” but working memory describes our skill at keeping information in our minds for a short period of time. Obviously, this is a useful tool—especially at school. When it comes to taking tests or being called on in class, working memory is essential.
4. Disrupting the Class
Anxiety makes you feel out of control. A dysfunctional way to grab back some control is through disruptive behavior. Your child may goof off, ask endless questions, or get aggressive. This shifts the narrative away from them being lost when it comes to the lesson.
5. Avoidance
Watch for two versions of this symptom. The first might be a literal desire to skip school, pretend to be sick, etc. Secondly, your child may avoid handing in homework—even when they’ve successfully completed it. They fear being judged or embarrassed.
5 Ways Parents Can Help Their Child Prevail
1. Stay Calm
Anxiety is not contagious like a pathogen. But it does behave like a social contagion. Fear, worry, and dread can spread through any group in a hurry. Stay aware of this and let it guide your interactions with your child and your entire family.
2. Create a Healthy Home Environment
Here is just some of what your child needs:
- Consistent structure
- Feeling safe
- The ability to talk openly with you
- Knowing that you will help by making adjustments when needed
3. Limit Screen Time
Those devices that seem surgically attached to your child’s hand are basically anxiety machines. The goal is not to demonize or forbid social media usage. Rather, help guide them to discover healthier ways to be online.
4. Focus on Effort
Remind your child—and yourself—that it’s not just about results. Praise the effort as a giant step toward helping your child feel more comfortable with schoolwork and rhythms. Take some of the pressure off of them.
5. Lead By Example With Self-Care
Empower your child by encouraging them to make their own health a priority. Such self-care may pertain to sleep, eating, exercise, or relaxation techniques. Lead by example.
If you’re not sure how to read your child’s mental state or how to help them, let’s talk. I’d love to support your efforts and your desire to be the best parent possible.
