EARLY CHILDHOOD / MENTAL HEALTH

“An invaluable resource to recognize the causes and symptoms of young children’s mental health challenges . . . The biggest beneficiary of all will be the students themselves, as adults gain a more nuanced understanding of their emotional responses and how best to support them.”
—Ondine Gross, M.S., Ed.M., school psychologist and author of Restore the Respect: How to Mediate School Conflicts and Keep Students Learning

“If you are interested in what to do and not to do, how to discern the subtleties of different anxiety disorders, and how best to proceed, this text will be incredibly helpful in your work.”
—Neal M. Horen, Ph.D., Director of Early Childhood, Georgetown University Center for Child and Human Development

Anxiety rates are skyrocketing among young learners—and their teachers need explicit training on how to recognize and support these students. A concise, reader-friendly guide written especially for teachers, this urgently needed book will prepare early educators to recognize anxiety issues in children ages 3–8, identify the associated behaviors, and work effectively with students who have anxiety symptoms.

Teachers will:

• Get a primer on seven types of childhood anxiety, with information on symptoms, causes, triggers, and treatment options.
• Review the assessment and evaluation process, and understand the role a teacher should play.
• Recognize co-morbidities with anxiety—including ADHD, autism, and depression—and how they may affect a child’s symptoms and treatment plan.
• Understand the issues and emotions parents face, so that teachers can offer them sensitive support.
• Use effective classroom interventions to meet the needs of children with anxiety and create a nurturing learning environment.
• Learn which strategies to avoid, from unrealistic expectations to excessive reassurance.

Excerpted from Addressing Anxiety in Young Learners: A Teacher's Guide to Recognizing Needs and Resolving Behaviors by Sarah Vanover, Ed.D.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Although there are several different types of anxiety, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is by far the most pervasive. Children diagnosed with GAD have very high levels of anxiety across a wide range of situations with no obvious triggers for their attacks. The level of the child’s worry may not match the severity of the situation.

SYMPTOMS

When making a diagnosis of GAD, a mental health specialist will look for specific symptoms including:

• Exhibiting anxiety more often than not.
• Persistent worry about future events or past occurrences.
• Inability to regulate emotions regarding anxiety, seeking constant reassurance.

Medical professionals must also rule out other potential causes for anxiety, including medication side effects.

TRIGGERS

Triggers for GAD can be irrational fears and elevated worries, possibly without a clear antecedent cause. It may be important for educators and parents to observe and document the context around anxiety episodes to identify patterns.

TREATMENTS

Depending on the severity of the child's diagnosis, possible treatment paths include:

• Play-based therapy, which allows children to express themselves in a non-threatening environment.
• Parent involvement in therapeutic processes to understand child behaviors and support interventions.
• Consultation with medical professionals regarding medication options as needed.

Case Study: Jonathon
Jonathon is a 6-year-old diagnosed with GAD, worried about everyday situations like his mother’s safety and pets being left alone. He struggles with perfectionism and misses school frequently due to stress-induced symptoms. His emotional outbursts are alarming to both his teacher and parents, who are unsure how to help him manage his anxieties.

Case Study: Jada
Jada is a 10-year-old girl suffering from severe anxiety related to school perfectionism and fear of violence. After seeking therapy, she learns coping strategies and begins to feel more in control, even as she still struggles with physical symptoms of anxiety.