In this 9-week flex course, learners will explore what anxiety is and will be introduced to more than 20 different evidence-based strategies and techniques to learn to manage and overcome their anxiety and worries!

Anxiety is one of the most common concerns for children and adults, affecting upwards of 20% of children and adolescents over the lifespan. The best way to support children deal with their anxiety is to help them learn tools and strategies to manage their anxiety and function as well as they can, even when they’re anxious. 

The purpose of this class is to help students gain a better understanding of what anxiety is and support them to overcome their anxiety, fears and worries. Each of the nine weeks, we will cover a different topic to learn about anxiety and coping techniques to deal with it and feel better. 

In detail, we will cover:

Week one:
Introductions
Ground rules and creating a safe space
Anxiety in the brain 
the Fight/flight/freeze response 
Recognizing signs of anxiety in the body 

Week 2:
What are worries
Exploring Worry Words - Learning to describe your feelings
Anxiety in disguise 
The Feelings wheel


Week 3:
Relaxation and Breathing;
Butterfly breathing/hug 
Bubble Breathing 
Finger breathing 
Relaxation - progressive muscle relaxation 


Week 4:
Grounding techniques;
5-4-3-2-1 grounding technique
The Tree Grounding technique
The ABC grounding Technique
Rainbow grounding technique 

Week 5:
Catching negative thoughts and worries 
Challenging negative thoughts and worries
Positive Affirmations 

Week 6:
Dealing with worries;
What you can and can't control
Adults vs child responsibilities
Create your worry monster 

Week 7:
Learning to problem-solve (worries)
I can Try again
My support network - people who can help you

Week 8:
Discovering strengths and positive qualities 
Superhero me 

Week 9:
Exploring what makes you feel happy, calm and relaxed
Feelings' thermometer; Create your own anxiety toolbox 
Wrap up and group closure

This will be a flex class, with video recordings created by me. (There will be no live meetings). Students may complete class work on their own schedule, but will be expected to move forward at the weekly pace of the class to allow for discussion and ensure understanding. 

I will post our weekly lessons, announcements and materials on Sunday (once a week for nine weeks). Each lesson consists of short video recordings with presentations of myself teaching the course, and of activities/interaction tasks and optional assignments. Each video ranges from 3-7 minutes in length and is accompanied by a PowerPoint presentation. 

Students enrolled in this class will have ample opportunity to interact through discussion questions, creating drawings, sharing video recordings and worksheets. All the interaction will be done in the Outschool classroom. Learners can complete each activity according to their schedule, but all activities must be done before the next Sunday, however, late work is still accepted. Students and the teacher will nicely comment on other drawings/video recordings and answers  commenting what they liked and differences/similarities to their own work.

Throughout the class, I will still provide timely encouragement, guidance, and feedback to learners. I will also be available for any questions that may arise and I respond to student answers on a near-daily basis. 

*This course is only educational and is not intended to diagnose or cure medical or mental health conditions. If any conditions are severe, it is best to consult a medical or mental health specialist.