6 year old feeling “anxiety”

[Anonymous]

My kindergartners was talking to me in bedtime and told me he was feeling anxiety. I asked him what that meant and he told me it’s a mix of emotions when you’re feeling happy excited and also sad or nervous. Is this normal? I guess they’re just learning about emotions generally, and labeling them different things. I find it odd that kids in America learn all this mental health related terminology. It’s such a young, tender age. I’m not necessarily opposed to it, but Everyone in the US claims they are anxious, or have mental health issues or some sort of generational trauma.

[Anonymous]

As someone who works with kids, it really does seem like more elementary school children are presenting more often with mental health issues. I think being able to talk about it while young and get support from adults is great. Chances are that a K student just needs appropriate support from family and to learn coping skills. Much better to ask for and receive that while young than to carry it for years.

[Anonymous]

Did you ask him what specifically is worrying him?

[Anonymous]

The wolf you feed.

I think there probably is more anxiety but I also think it’s also not a good idea to be teaching that word so young and that some of the SEL curriculum is having the opposite effect of its intent.

[Anonymous]

This is completely inappropriate and the school/ counselor would be hearing from me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The wolf you feed.

I think there probably is more anxiety but I also think it’s also not a good idea to be teaching that word so young and that some of the SEL curriculum is having the opposite effect of its intent.

That was my first thought. Unfortunately, there are some side consequences of trying to reach the troubled kids.

My kid got suicide screened because he hated school. He was not suicidal. He just hated school. For fairly legitimate reasons in my opinion.

I put up with this because there are suicidal children in my district and I want them to get noticed and helped.

[Anonymous]

I mean, that's not a terrible definition of anxiety. I'd ask him what he's excited but also nervous about. He gave you an opening to discuss emotions and healthy ways to manage them. What can you do when you're anxious to relax or be calm? How can anxiety help you (motivate you to try hard, for example) and when is it too much? Etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I mean, that's not a terrible definition of anxiety. I'd ask him what he's excited but also nervous about. He gave you an opening to discuss emotions and healthy ways to manage them. What can you do when you're anxious to relax or be calm? How can anxiety help you (motivate you to try hard, for example) and when is it too much? Etc.

Agree with this. Show him how to manage it ot at least say that everyone feels this way sometimes. Knowing that you have a feeling doesn't mean a problem.

[Anonymous]

FYI Vitamin B can cause anxiety. Watch out if you are giving him a multivitamin.

[Anonymous]

When I was six I got "anxiety" (though I wouldn't have called it that) when I went to gymnastics - I absolutely loved it but was super intimidated by my coach who I desperately both wanted to impress and wanted her to make me better. Excited and nervous. It was perfectly fine to have those feelings.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The wolf you feed.

I think there probably is more anxiety but I also think it’s also not a good idea to be teaching that word so young and that some of the SEL curriculum is having the opposite effect of its intent.

Actually I think it is exactly the intent of the SEL curriculum. This is how every slight problem becomes medicalized.

[Anonymous]

My six year old does seem to experience anxiety at bedtime frequently, although he doesn't know the word. It's not daily, but that's when he'll suddenly start talking about how he doesn't want to get shots (annual checkup is months away), or go to camp, or some other thing he's nervous about. Adults can probably understand nighttime worrying. I'd be gentle and talk with your kid, but for mine it's less about convincing him the thing will be ok and more about taking his mind off it and helping him relax.

[Anonymous]

Don’t blame the school if you let them see Inside Out 2

[Anonymous]

I’m seeing a lot of strong reactions to SEL in this thread.

My belief is that “anxiety” is not exclusively a clinical diagnosis. It’s also a normal and common feeling. Anxiety is only clinical if it’s regularly interfering with everyday life function.

I think it’s great that OP’s child can talk about feelings with a parent. That’s an appropriate way to get help with something that feels hard to manage on one’s own. Getting guidance on how to manage everyday challenges is exactly how to avoid developing pathologies later in life.

[Anonymous]

How he explained anxiety, excitement, sad, happy, might mean that he’s having a tough time containing them. It sounds normal. Maybe you can help him separate the emotions and when each type probably happens. How to help him control the ones that are a problem.