Signs of anxiety in young kids
It’s not unusual for kids, even young ones, to sometimes feel anxious. But how do you know if anxiety is a problem for a child? It can be confusing. That’s especially true of kids who learn and think differently, who are more likely than other kids to feel anxious about school and friendship.
If you’re wondering if a preschooler or grade-schooler may be struggling with anxiety or stress, here are signs you might see, according to John Piacentini, PhD, and Lindsey Bergman, PhD, experts from the UCLA Child Anxiety Resilience Education and Supports (CARES) Center.
Physical signs of anxiety
Often complains of headaches or stomachaches, even though there’s no medical reason for them
Refuses to eat snacks or lunch at daycare or school
Won’t use bathrooms except at home
Is restless, fidgety, hyperactive, or distracted (even without having ADHD)
Starts to shake or sweat in intimidating situations
Constantly tenses muscles
Has trouble falling asleep or staying asleep
Emotional signs of anxiety
Cries a lot
Is very sensitive
Becomes grouchy or angry without any clear reason
Is afraid of making even minor mistakes
Has panic attacks (or is afraid of having panic attacks)
Worries about things that are far in the future, like worrying about starting middle school in third grade
Is worried or afraid during drop-offs (at daycare, school, relatives’ homes, etc.)
Has frequent nightmares about losing a parent or loved one
Behavioral signs of anxiety
Asks “what if?” constantly (“What if an earthquake happened?”)
Avoids joining in during class activities like circle time
Remains silent or preoccupied when expected to work with others
Refuses to go to school
Stays inside alone at lunch or recess
Avoids social situations with other kids, like birthday parties or extracurricular activities
Constantly seeks approval from parents and caregivers, teachers, and friends
Says “I can’t do it!” without a real reason
Has meltdowns or tantrums
How you can help
Understanding what’s causing the anxiety is the first step toward helping. Take a closer look at the behavior. You can use the anxiety tracker below to take notes. See if you can pick up on patterns.
Anxiety trackerPDF - 120.1 KB
Share your observations with the people who are partners in finding the best support for kids. These include parents, caregivers, teachers, and pediatricians.
Learn about the difference between typical anxiety and an anxiety problem.