Anxiety among Elementary Students has increased because of Social Media, Academic Demands, Peer Comparisons, and Adult Stresses.
Elementary Students are experiencing a surge in anxiety, with research showing that younger generations are more worried and anxious than previous generations. The increase in anxiety is due to the rise of social media, reality TV, and the pressure to achieve more than ever. However, there are several reasons why elementary students worry the most.
Like adults, children naturally worry as they are figuring out their place in the world, testing their beliefs, managing increased responsibilities at home and school, navigating peer relationships, gaining independence, and exploring interests. They develop flexible thinking, considering more 'gray' options instead of just black and white, and navigating the gray can bring new challenges in determining right and wrong.
Some children worry more than others, but there are both biological and environmental components to consider. For instance, some children have a lower tolerance when managing stressful events, or they might have higher standards they hold themselves to, which can result in increased worry. Additionally, children's worries can fluctuate from day to day depending on the stressors they are facing.
Children are often mirroring how their parents navigate worries. Suppose adults can navigate through stressful situations or tolerate levels of unknowns in their daily interactions. In that case, children will observe that modeled behavior and develop their own strategies for similar conditions.
According to a Child Psychologist, Elementary Students Worry About the Most is Adult Worries
Children often experience anxiety about adult concerns like housing, finances, and relationships, as adults are sharing more about family-related issues with their children, allowing them to navigate these issues earlier before adults have a plan to solve the issue. Macro-level worries include politics and immigration due to increased exposure to local, national, and international issues. Peer concerns, including feeling included and fitting in, can cause significant worry among children, as they compare themselves to their peers, influencing their choices and performance in various aspects of life.
Social media "infatuation" is a growing issue among children, particularly from a young age, due to modeled behavior from caregivers who use devices to distract and decompress. Meeting expectations is another concern for children, as they may struggle to meet their own expectations, those of adults, or media influences. Transitional experiences in life, both small and substantial, can cause significant worry for children, as most people experience worry during these changes.
School worries are another common concern for elementary students. They often experience anxiety about school performance, including classroom activities, behavioral norms, standardized tests, and public speaking, similar to adults who worry about work.
Parents can support their children by discussing their feelings openly, addressing daily worries, and noticing changes in mood and behavior. Engaging in problem-solving and discussing physiological symptoms helps model good skills and supports emotional development. Using age-appropriate language and monitoring information consumption, such as through social media, can be beneficial when it comes to their worries.
As a parent, it is important to be aware of how you are modeling healthy habits to your children. Answering children's questions honestly and appropriately, seeking answers together if needed, and creating a "worry box" can help kids manage their worries.
When worries grow large and seem to be impacting daily activities or relationships, it is time to seek further support to help your child navigate their worries. Caregivers should reach out to their child's pediatrician or school support for further assessment and intervention. If unsafe behaviors, such as self-harm or suicidal comments or behaviors, are noticed, seek immediate support from a professional.
About the Writer
Jenny, the tech wiz behind Jenny's Online Blog, loves diving deep into the latest technology trends, uncovering hidden gems in the gaming world, and analyzing the newest movies. When she's not glued to her screen, you might find her tinkering with gadgets or obsessing over the latest sci-fi release.What do you think of this blog? Write down at the COMMENT section below.
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