Learning anxiety occurs in a learning environment, such as a classroom or workshop. Learning anxiety also happens to children when they are learning something new or when they are in that environment. This leaves parents asking why their child isn’t learning.
It’s natural for children to feel anxious about learning, especially when they are facing new or challenging material. Different symptoms, such as jitters, worry, or tension can be present.
Children would have trouble focusing, remembering information, or performing to their full potential if they are experiencing learning anxiety.
Signs of Learning Anxiety in Children
Anxiety is often experienced when children are under pressure, which subsequently subsides once the pressure is removed.
However, worry may persist for certain children and prevent them from accomplishing their objectives.
Numerous physical symptoms include Blushing, Perspiration, and Vertigo, are linked to anxiety.
Children may be found avoiding situations, which includes learning.
This makes them feel worried, and more severe physical symptoms of anxiety might include a rapid heartbeat and difficulty breathing.
10 Ways to support children through Learning Anxiety
Learning anxiety can be a challenging issue for children, as it can impact their ability to perform well in school and may even cause them to avoid certain academic tasks.
Here are strategies you can use to help children manage their learning anxiety:
- Observe and find out the reason for the anxiety: the cause of learning anxiety in children can be behavior-based or hinge on an underlying health issue.
Firstly, physically observe the child. Then, check if the anxiety is hinged on a particular subject matter.
Some children could have anxiety about concepts related to
- Numbers,
- Qualitative thinking,
- Quantitative reasoning,
- Reading,
- Writing and
- Science.
Related article; Quantitative Reasoning; Teaching Methods for Primary Schools
- Encourage them to take breaks: Children need to take breaks and give their minds a rest. This can help them feel more refreshed and focused when they return to their work.
- Help them set goals:
Setting goals can give children a sense of control and direction, which can help reduce anxiety. Encourage them to set small, achievable goals and celebrate their progress as they work towards larger goals.
- Help your child get enough sleep:
Sleep helps regulate the chemicals in the brain that affect mood, such as serotonin and norepinephrine. Without enough sleep, these chemicals can become imbalanced, leading to increased anxiety.
Also, Lack of sleep can affect a child’s ability to concentrate and remember information. This can lead to frustration and anxiety when trying to learn new things.
Therefore, help children get enough sleep, by establishing a consistent bedtime routine and a peaceful sleep environment.
Related article; 5 Factors that Causes Teenage Mental Health illness
- Praise and Encourage your child: Recognizing and praising children for their efforts can help boost their confidence and reduce anxiety about learning.
Use encouraging statements such as; “You can do it”, “Be calm”
- Model a positive attitude: Children often look to adults for cues on how to behave and feel. By maintaining a positive attitude and showing enthusiasm for learning, you can help children feel more confident and less anxious.
- Practice routine exercises:
Exercise is important in reducing anxiety in children. It serves as a distraction from worries and negative thoughts.
For a child who is involved in learning, a simple exercise that can be done to curb learning anxiety is walking. However, whichever form of exercise you choose to help the child with, be careful not to overdo them.
- Encourage your child to stay hydrated. When a new concept is taught to a child and anxiety such as jittering and stress is spotted. Pause the concept and let the child have a glass of water. Water will not only calm the nerves but make the child understand the learning environment isn’t a battlefield and the teacher isn’t an enemy.
- Seek professional Healthcare: If your child’s anxiety is severe or is disrupting their daily life, it may be helpful to seek the help of a mental health professional. They can help your child develop coping strategies and provide additional support.
- Learner’s Specialist Assistance: There are cases when children may not respond to certain tutors, sometimes due to their teaching method or styles. Get in touch with a learners specialist. A specialist will help with a method that best suits your child.
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