Anxiety disorders in children are not uncommon; in fact, some studies indicate that as many as 1 in 8 children experience anxiety that impedes their social, personal and academic functioning.
Children with anxiety disorders will often try to avoid situations they perceive as threatening or in which they worry they might fail. Because of this, they are likely to miss out on important experiences, and may have hard time forming friendships, and suffer academically.
If your child is struggling with anxiety or stress, it is best to seek services early. You might also find the following children’s books, which address anxiety, stress, and accompanying emotions, may help them understand their anxiety and give them strategies for dealing with their day-to-day challenges.
Book suggestions
Wilma Jean the Worry Machine by Julia Cook, a former school counselor and teacher. Wilma worries about everything. Her teacher helps her figure out which things she can control and which things she can’t, and provides her with some strategies for handling her feelings. Recommended for grades 2-5.
What to Do When You Worry Too Much: A Kid’s Guide to Overcoming Anxiety (What to Do Guides for Kids) by
David and the Worry Beast: Helping Children Cope with Anxiety by
“Wemberly worried about everything. Big things. Little things. And things in between.”
Wemberly Worried by Kevin Henkes is good first-day-of-school book for children ages 4-8. Wemberly was very worried about her first day of school until she got there and met someone a lot like herself and came to realize that school was fun.
If you have concerns about your child, you can arrange a free 30-minute Care Consultation to explore options with an expert. We invite you to call or email our Care Coordinators at 650.688.3625 or careteam@stage.chconline.org to set up an initial Parent Consultation appointment.
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