Curriculum considerations for anxiety
Creative arts
Teaching tips that may be relevant include modifying tasks, predictability, clear rules and expectations, normalising mistakes, small group work and providing a supportive and structured classroom environment.
English
Consider and avoid any known trauma triggers when choosing books for students who have been through a traumatic event.
Offer choices. Tasks like oral reports or presentations may make some students very anxious. Offer other options, such as presenting to a small group of friends, or making PowerPoint presentations or recording a video for submission to the teacher.
Mathematics
Maths can make some students anxious.
If possible, avoid tests or exercises where students are timed, as a student with anxiety may feel too stressed to do their best.
Help a student feel confident by making sure they are given tasks they can do well. This might mean giving lots of questions or activities that a student can already do, with a few questions or activities that they are still learning.
Teaching tips that may be relevant include normalising mistakes and allowing time to calm down.
Languages
Give extra information or support to students if there are out-of-routine activities.
Students with selective mutism or anxiety may find being tested out loud too difficult. Consider giving them a written or visual test.
Personal development, health and physical education
Physical education can be very different from week to week. Support may be needed for students who can become anxious with changes.
Additional support or alternative approaches such as working in pairs or small groups may support students who are anxious about performing in front of others. Read more about guiding students to balance their own workload when supporting a peer.
Some parts of physical education may be extra worrying to a student with anxiety, such as swimming lessons, sports competitions or changing their uniform with other students there.
Teaching tips that may be relevant include modifying tasks, predictability, clear rules and expectations, normalising mistakes, small group work and providing a supportive and structured classroom environment.
Human society and it's environment
Give extra information or support to students if there are out-of-routine activities, rotations or excursions. For example, if there is an open morning to let parents or carers see students’ projects, make sure a student has a buddy with them or a safe space they can go to if they are feeling anxious.
Science and technology
Give extra information or support to students if there are out-of-routine activities, rotations or excursions. For example, if there is an open morning to let parents or carers see students’ projects, make sure a student has a buddy with them or a safe space they can go to if feeling too anxious.