Anxiety & Worry ages 9-12

Understanding Worry & Anxiety

Worry is a normal part of life and can help keep us safe. However, sometimes our brain’s alarm system reacts to uncertainty, change or new experiences as if they are dangerous, even when we are actually safe.

In this practical educational wellbeing session, children learn how worry and anxiety work, why they happen, and how thoughts, feelings and body sensations are connected. Through engaging activities and a practical wellbeing tool, children develop greater self-awareness and learn strategies to help them manage worry more confidently.

This session helps children learn to:

✔ Understand what worry and anxiety are and why they happen

✔ Explore how the brain’s alarm system is designed to keep us safe

✔ Recognise the difference between real danger and a worry alarm

✔ Identify common worry thoughts and understand that thoughts are not always facts

✔ Practise challenging and changing unhelpful worry thoughts

✔ Recognise physical signs of worry within the body

✔ Develop practical calming and grounding strategies

✔ Create a personalised Calming Jar to help settle busy thoughts and support emotional regulation

This session also includes:

✔ Pre-recorded lesson

✔ Printable worksheets and activities

✔ Parent overview

✔ Simple calming techniques

✔ Information about mindfulness and how it can help the brain and body settle

Recommended for children aged 9–12 years.

Looking for the complete programme?

This session is Week 2 of the Spark & Settle 6-Week Children’s Wellbeing Programme. The full programme is also available as a separate purchase and includes all 6 sessions.

Please note:

This is an educational wellbeing session designed to teach emotional awareness and self-regulation skills. It is not therapy, counselling or a mental health treatment service.