Understanding Performance Anxiety in School

Performance anxiety in school is a real struggle for many children. It’s that intense fear or worry that affects children when they’re faced with tasks that could lead to judgement or failure. Tests, presentations, or even just speaking up in class can feel like climbing a mountain for some kids. This anxiety can manifest as physical, emotional or cognitive symptoms. In this article, we will explore what performance anxiety looks like and how we can help.

What is Performance Anxiety

Performance anxiety is a feeling of fear a child may have when they’re about to perform in front of others or for a test. It’s like standing on a stage, or the fear of failing that becomes overwhelming. This anxiety can manifest in various ways, making it crucial for parents and teachers to recognize and address it.

Symptoms of Performance Anxiety in Children

Physical Symptoms

Kids might complain of stomach aches, headaches, feeling hot, shaking, difficulty breathing or even having their heart racing. When faced with challenging tasks, some children may have outbursts or irritability, seeming upset or angry.

Emotional Symptoms

Emotionally, children may feel a sense of dread or panic. Some children might refuse to go to school or avoid certain tasks altogether. Some children might spend excessive time on tasks, or conversely avoid preparation due to fear of failure; the procrastination behaviour comes up as they try to escape the pressure.

Cognitive Symptoms

Children may express negative thoughts and self-doubt such as “I’m not good enough,” or “I’m going to fail,” or “Everyone will laugh at me.”

How to Help a Child with Performance Anxiety

If you suspect a child is struggling with performance anxiety, here are some strategies to help them cope.

Recognize and Acknowledge Feelings

Validate the child’s feelings of anxiety rather than dismissing them. Let them know it’s okay to feel nervous and that many people experience similar feelings.

Encourage Positive Self-Talk

Teach the child to replace negative thoughts with positive affirmations. For example, instead of thinking, “I’m going to fail,” they can say, “I’ve prepared well, and I’ll do my best.”

Break Tasks into Smaller Steps

Help the child break down overwhelming tasks into smaller, more manageable parts. This makes the tasks feel less daunting and provides a sense of accomplishment as each step is completed.

Create a Supportive Environment

Encourage a growth mindset by praising effort rather than just results. Emphasize that making mistakes is a natural part of learning and that they can improve with practise.

Prepare for Specific Situations

Practise or role-play situations that cause anxiety, such as giving a presentation or taking a test. The more familiar the child becomes with the situation, the less intimidating it may seem.

Limit Exposure to Stressors

If possible, reduce the number of stressors in the child’s life, such as an overly packed schedule or excessive extracurricular demands.

Teach Time Management and Study Skills

Help the child develop effective study habits and time management skills to reduce last-minute stress and build confidence in their abilities.

Seek Professional Help If Needed

If the anxiety is severe and interfering with the child’s daily life, consider consulting a school counsellor or psychologist who specializes in childhood anxiety.

Model Calmness and Confidence

Children often mimic adult behaviours. Show them how to handle stress calmly and confidently.

The Role of Peer Comparison in Performance Anxiety

Performance anxiety often intensifies when children compare themselves to their peers. Let’s explore how this comparison plays a role and how to address it.

Fear of Judgment

Kids may become overly concerned with how they’re perceived by their peers, teachers, or parents such as “being popular” or “being good” in school. This fear of judgment can increase anxiety, particularly in situations where performance is visible, such as presentations or exams.

Perceived Pressure to Succeed

Seeing peers excel can make a child feel pressured to perform at the same level. If they believe they are not as capable, this can lead to feelings of inadequacy and the belief that they are destined to fail.

Negative Self-Esteem

Constant comparison can damage a child’s self-esteem, making them doubt their abilities and reducing their confidence. Low self-esteem is a significant contributor to performance anxiety.

Social Comparison Bias

Children might focus only on the achievements of their peers and overlook their own strengths and successes. This selective attention to others’ accomplishments can create a distorted view of their own abilities.

Fear of Disappointment

The fear of disappointing parents, teachers or themselves, especially when they see peers succeeding, can increase the pressure they feel, leading to heightened anxiety.

Strategies to Reduce the Impact of Peer Comparison

Encourage Individual Goals

Help the child set personal goals based on their own strengths and areas of improvement rather than comparing themselves to others. This shifts the focus from competition to self-growth.

Promote a Growth Mindset

Emphasize that everyone progresses at their own pace. It’s okay to have different strengths!

Highlight Unique Strengths

Help the child identify their unique talents and achievements. Remind them that everyone has different abilities and that their worth isn’t defined by how they compare to others.

Model Non-Comparative Behaviour

Avoid comparing the child to their siblings, friends or classmates. Instead, praise their individual efforts and achievements. Children learn from observing adults, so modelling non-comparative behaviour is crucial.

Teach Compassion and Empathy

Encourage the child to appreciate the successes of others without feeling threatened. Teaching empathy helps them understand that everyone has challenges, and they don’t need to compete with their peers.

This article is written by Emmanuelle O’Grady – IMC’s Principal Clinical Psychologist (Child & Adolescent).

Emmanuelle works at IMC Children’s, located at Camden Medical Centre #14-02. To book an appointment to see her, please click here and select “Request Appointment”; or for enquiries please email [email protected] or call 6733 4440 (extension 2).