03/07/2025
Supporting our little people with big emotions, anxiety and emotional regulation…
At Jack and Jill, our educators are constantly reflecting on the needs of our little people, researching and seeking professional development on how best to meet these needs.
Over time we have been seeing an increasing rise of anxiety, and emotional regulation concerns for our children, and children country wide.
Anxiety disorders are a significant mental health concern for children, with prevalence rates varying but generally affecting a substantial portion of the child population. Many children experience anxiety, and a considerable number are diagnosed with anxiety disorders annually. In recent years anxiety among children and adolescents has increased dramatically. While anxiety is a normal emotion, it can become a concern when it significantly impacts a child's daily life.
Key points about anxiety in children:
* Prevalence:Anxiety disorders are among the most common mental health conditions in children. Approximately 7% of Australian children aged 4-11 years and adolescents aged 12-17 years are diagnosed with anxiety disorders each year. This has been estimated to have increased to almost 20% in recent years.
* Impact:Anxiety can manifest in various ways, including excessive worry, irritability, difficulty sleeping, and physical symptoms like stomach aches. Preschool is a time of incredible growth—new friends, new routines, new emotions. As exciting as these changes can be, they can also feel overwhelming. At this age, children are still learning how to understand their emotions, express their needs, and feel secure in a world that’s constantly expanding. Some children may show signs of anxiety—worrying about seperation, being away from parents, becoming upset by changes, displaying particular fears, or reacting strongly to transitions. Others might struggle with emotional regulation, like having big outbursts or becoming easily frustrated.
This is all part of growing up—but as caregivers and educators, we can work together to support children through these important early challenges, to decrease the severity on our children.
Understanding Anxiety in Young Children
Anxiety in preschoolers doesn’t always look the way we might expect. It can appear as:
* Clinginess or separation anxiety
* Frequent tantrums or emotional meltdowns
* Avoidance of certain places or activities
* Withdrawal
* Physical complaints like stomach aches or headaches
* Irritability or restlessness
These behaviors are often a way for children to communicate feelings they don’t yet have the words to express.
All children feel anxious or overwhelmed from time to time—but if their anxiety or emotional struggles are interfering with their ability to play, learn, or enjoy daily life, don’t hesitate to reach out.
At preschool, we work every day to create a nurturing, predictable environment where children can safely learn about their emotions. We know that with patience, support, and lots of love, young children can develop the tools they need to manage big feelings and build emotional resilience that lasts a lifetime.
We have been working on a range of strategies at preschool, including looking at the wonderful My Brain Books series with the children.
We have been exploring our brain, how it works, why we worry, and what are big and small worries.
We have included some images and links here so you can also talk about this information with your child.
We have added ‘Worry Jars” to the rooms so the children can talk openly about their worries, we help them write them and when they feel better about them, they fold them up and put them into the jars, and we have more planned experiences to come.
If you ever have questions or concerns about your child’s emotional wellbeing, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here to support you and your child every step of the way.
Warmly your Jack and Jill Family xx
For more information below are some useful links:
www.mybrainbooks.com (also on Facebook and instagram)
www.maggiedent.com
www.Rach.org.au
