iSEND Parent Toolkit: Anxiety in Children & Teens

Understanding Anxiety in Children & Teens: A Parent Understanding & Support Toolkit

iSEND Parent Toolkit Series

Anxiety has become one of the most significant challenges facing children and young people today. Schools and families are seeing increasing levels of worry, overwhelm and emotional distress, with many children finding it difficult to cope with the demands of modern life.

There isn’t one single cause. For many children, anxiety develops through a combination of factors—including academic pressures, social media, world events, changing family circumstances, friendship challenges, neurodiversity, sensory overwhelm and the fast-paced nature of everyday life.

But what does anxiety mean for your child?

Every child experiences anxiety differently. Some children openly express their worries, while others mask their feelings, withdraw, become irritable or complain of physical symptoms such as headaches or stomach aches. Understanding these differences is the first step towards providing the right support.

Created by experienced SENCO and Inclusive Education Consultant Ian Edwards, this beautifully designed Parent Toolkit helps families understand childhood anxiety through a compassionate, evidence-informed and practical lens. It provides reassurance, clear explanations and realistic strategies to help children build confidence, resilience and emotional wellbeing.

Rather than trying to eliminate anxiety altogether, this toolkit helps parents understand it, respond calmly and equip their child with lifelong coping skills.

Inside you’ll discover:

• What anxiety really is (and what it isn’t)

• Why anxiety is becoming increasingly common

• Recognising signs of anxiety in children and teenagers

• Understanding the body’s stress response

• Practical calming and regulation strategies

• Supporting emotional resilience and confidence

• Helping children manage worries and uncertainty

• Reducing overwhelm at home and school

• Working positively with schools and professionals

• Parent reflection and practical support tools

Perfect for:

✔ Parents of anxious children and teenagers

✔ Families experiencing increasing worries or overwhelm

✔ Grandparents and carers

✔ Teachers wanting a parent-friendly resource

✔ SENCOs and schools supporting family wellbeing

Why parents love the iSEND Toolkit Series

✓ Clear, easy-to-understand language

✓ Beautifully designed and engaging

✓ Practical strategies you can implement immediately

✓ Based on over 20 years of SEND experience

✓ Compassionate, evidence-informed approach

✓ Encourages positive home-school partnerships

Whether your child experiences occasional worries or persistent anxiety, this toolkit will help you better understand what they’re experiencing, respond with confidence and support them in developing the resilience and coping strategies they need to thrive.

Understanding reduces fear. Connection builds confidence. Every child deserves to feel safe, supported and understood.

Digital Download

• Instant PDF download
• Full-colour, professionally designed resource
• Print at home or use digitally on your tablet or computer