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Portrait of an anxious child
A child is included in a kindergarten group (or class). He peers intently at everything that is around, timidly, almost silently greets and awkwardly sits on the edge of the nearest chair. He seems to be expecting some kind of trouble.
This is an anxious child. There are many such children in kindergarten and school, and working with them is no easier, and even more difficult, than with other categories of «problem» children, because both hyperactive and aggressive children are always in sight, as if in the palm of their hand, and anxious ones try to keep your problems to yourself.
They are distinguished by excessive anxiety, and sometimes they are afraid not of the event itself, but of its foreboding. Often they expect the worst. Children feel helpless, afraid to play new games, start new activities. They have high demands on themselves, they are very self-critical. Their level of self-esteem is low, such children really think that they are worse than others in everything, that they are the most ugly, stupid, clumsy. They seek encouragement, adult approval in all matters.
Anxious children are also characterized by somatic problems: abdominal pain, dizziness, headaches, cramps in the throat, shortness of breath, etc. During the manifestation of anxiety, they often feel dry mouth, lump in the throat, weakness in the legs, palpitations.
How to identify an anxious child
An experienced educator or teacher, of course, in the very first days of meeting children will understand which of them has increased anxiety. However, before drawing final conclusions, it is necessary to observe the child who causes concern on different days of the week, during training and free activities (at recess, on the street), in communication with other children.
To understand the child, to find out what he is afraid of, you can ask parents, educators (or subject teachers) to fill out a questionnaire form. The answers of adults will clarify the situation, help to trace the family history. And observation of the behavior of the child will confirm or refute your assumption.
P. Baker and M. Alvord advise to take a closer look at whether the following signs are characteristic of the child’s behavior.
Criteria for determining anxiety in a child:
- Constant worry.
- Difficulty, sometimes inability to concentrate on anything.
- Muscle tension (for example, in the face, neck).
- Irritability.
- Sleep disturbances.
It can be assumed that the child is anxious if at least one of the criteria listed above is constantly manifested in his behavior.
Anxiety Questionnaire
In order to identify an anxious child, the following questionnaire is also used (G. P. Lavrentyeva, T. M. Titarenko).
Signs of anxiety:
Anxious child
1. Cannot work for a long time without getting tired.
2. It is difficult for him to focus on something.
3. Any task causes unnecessary anxiety.
4. During the performance of tasks, he is very tense, constrained.
5. Feels embarrassed more often than others.
6. Often talks about tense situations.
7. As a rule, blushes in unfamiliar surroundings.
8. Complains that he has terrible dreams.
9. His hands are usually cold and wet.
10. He often has an upset stool.
11. Sweats profusely when excited.
12. Does not have a good appetite.
13. Sleeps restlessly, falls asleep with difficulty.
14. Shy, many things cause him fear.
15. Usually restless, easily upset.
16. Often cannot hold back tears.
17. Poorly tolerates waiting.
18. Does not like to take on a new business.
19. Not confident in himself, in his abilities.
20. Afraid to face difficulties.
Add up the number of «pluses» to get a total anxiety score.
high anxiety — 15-20 points.
Average — 7-14 points.
Low — 1-6 points.
separation anxiety
In kindergarten, children often experience fear of separation from their parents. It must be remembered that at the age of two or three years, the presence of this trait is acceptable and understandable. But if a child in the preparatory group constantly cries when parting, does not take his eyes off the window, waiting every second for the appearance of his parents, special attention should be paid to this. The presence of fear of separation can be determined by the following criteria (P. Baker, M. Alvord).
Separation anxiety criteria:
- Recurrent excessive frustration, sadness at parting.
- Constant excessive worry about the loss, that the adult might feel bad.
- Constant excessive anxiety that some event will lead him to separation from his family.
- Constant refusal to go to kindergarten.
- Constant fear of being alone.
- Constant fear of falling asleep alone.
- Constant nightmares in which the child is separated from someone.
- Constant complaints of indisposition: headache, pain in the abdomen, etc. (Children suffering from the fear of separation can indeed get sick if they think a lot about what is bothering them.)
If at least three traits appeared in the behavior of the child within four weeks, then it can be assumed that the child really has this type of fear.
How to help an anxious child
Working with an anxious child is fraught with certain difficulties and, as a rule, takes quite a long time. Experts recommend working with anxious children in three directions … See →
Tips for parents of an anxious child
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