Whether it’s bad weather, sleeping away from home, or test-taking, it’s very common for elementary schoolers to experience varying levels of anxiety.

WHAT THEY’RE ANXIOUS ABOUT Up until about eight years old, many causes of anxiety carry over from preschool—with a focus on specific, identifiable events like new situations, animals, the dark, loud noises, etc. But as a child develops, the source of their anxiety becomes more abstract. As they grow more self-aware (beginning around second to third grade), their anxieties become more socially-influenced. They worry about friends, acceptance, the future, and new challenges at school. Generally speaking, there are three types of fears kids this age experience1 : separation anxiety, social anxiety, and a specific phobia. And just like adults, elementary-aged kids can experience the physical symptoms that come with anxiety. They can complain of stomachaches or headaches, a racing heart, or trouble sleeping.

TIPS TO HELP THEM NAVIGATE When our kid’s anxiety is heightened, it’s common for us as parents to want to remove that discomfort. And while it’s healthy for us to give our kids ways to cope, we shouldn’t try to engineer a “worry-free” lifestyle for them. A moderate amount of stress and anxiety pushes kids to succeed at home and in school, as well as protects them from certain dangers.