Everyone is under pressure these days. Whether it’s work stress, the cost-of-living squeeze, physical or mental health concerns or academic pressure, there seems to be no end of factors that can cause stress and anxiety.
Read the latest print edition of School News HERE
“We all feel anxious sometimes,” explains Professor Vanessa Cobham, “but for most of us, those feelings are temporary and manageable. In fact, anxiety serves an important purpose in situations where there is possible danger, like crossing a busy road. But for some people, anxiety can become a significant problem – causing a lot of distress and stopping them from being able to do the things they want to do.”
It’s natural that a child experiencing anxiety will be affected while at school, even if the cause of the anxiety is not school-related. What role then, should teachers and educators play in helping students manage that anxiety?
Professor Vanessa Cobham is the lead author of the highly regarded Triple P – Positive Parenting program that focuses on anxiety in children aged 6+. She holds research and clinical appointments respectively within the School of Psychology, The University of Queensland, and within Children’s Health Queensland’s Child and Youth Mental Health Service, and has been working with families, children and adolescents who experience anxiety and posttraumatic mental health concerns since 1992.
“Remember that anxiety doesn’t always look the way we can expect it to look – clingy, fearful behaviours and teariness. Sometimes, anxiety can look like angry, oppositional or aggressive behaviours. When you see these kinds of behaviours in children, it’s useful to stop and ask yourself, is it possible these behaviours are being driven or motivated by anxiety?” Professor Vanessa Cobham
According to Triple P, whether or not a child is obviously anxious, it’s helpful to support all students in learning strategies to cope with anxious feelings. Learning from a young age to manage and reduce anxious feelings, has long-term benefits for emotional well-being.
For example, this could include:
While there are specific training programs, such as Fear-Less Triple P, that parents and educators can undertake to further educate themselves, Professor Cobham suggests some simple tools that teachers can use for children experiencing anxiety.
It’s important to avoid overwhelming a child who has anxiety, by giving too many instructions at once or suddenly changing their school routine.
“It’s important to role model self-care for children. When children see self-care and self-compassion as a priority for the adults in their lives, it gives them the tools to nurture these positive behaviours in their own lives.” Professor Cobham
With an increasing number of students with additional needs in every classroom, self-care may feel like just another task on a seemingly infinite list for many teachers. But Professor Cobham stresses the importance of educators investing in their own well-being.
“When you’re able to meet your own needs, you’re in a better position to be responsive to the needs of students,” she explains.
Triple P suggests some simple ways that teachers can factor in self-care and prevent burn-out when faced with an increasing number of pressures at work:
Triple P Parenting is an initiative funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care, providing parents and carers of children under 12 to access free evidence-based, online positive parenting support at www.triplep-parenting.net.au
A term spent off-campus gives these Year 8 boys a chance to master a constellation…
An award winning grant program is helping Australian schools to provide students with back to…
Large numbers of principals are thinking about quitting. But what can we learn from the…
Many practical steps can be made at school to model sustainable practices, and help students…
Change the way you communicate with your school community by implementing digital signage across your…
The Right to Disconnect gives workers protection if they choose not to respond to their…
This website uses cookies.