How Does Anxiety Affect Learning?
Even before becoming an educational psychologist, I was always interested in the relationship between anxiety and learning. Post-Covid, this topic is even more relevant today. Research and experience tell us that anxiety has a fundamental impact on a child’s ability to learn, progress and reach their full potential. In this post, we highlight the multifaceted ways in which anxiety can affect learning and discuss effective strategies to support learners wit’s anxiety.
What is anxiety?
Anxiety is more than a fleeting feeling of worry. It’s an emotion characterised by feelings of tension, a persistent state of apprehension and fear that can manifest in various ways including excessive worrying, restlessness, irritability and difficulty concentrating. It can present emotionally and/or physically through sweating, trembling, dizziness or a rapid heartbeat. These disrupt the child's ability to focus, retain information, communicate and engage in learning.
How does anxiety impact on learning?
Executive Function refers to the cognitive processes and skills that enable people to plan, monitor and carry out their goals. It enables us to time or inhibit our responses, to attend to the right things without being distracted, and to regulate our attention, pay attention and focus. It “helps students to go beyond the content that is being taught, so that learning is process-based rather than only being outcome-based” (Meltzer, 2007).
We know that anxiety impairs children’s executive functioning skills of children to the point where their learning can be compromised. The child becomes unable to focus, to retain or retrieve information, and to make the right decisions when they feel as if they are under threat. Anxiety also reduces the child’s ability to think flexibly which can present as a need for greater routine and structure and for advance warning of unexpected events or changes. Specific ways that anxiety impacts on learning are outlined below.
Attention and Concentration
Anxiety can severely compromise a child's ability to attend and focus for brief or sustained periods of time. The anxious child can seem distracted, unable to absorb information and see tasks through to completion. This impedes the learning process and impact on the child’s progress and attainment.
Memory and Recall
Anxiety has a significant impact on the child’s ability to retain and recall information. They find it hard to encode information into their long-term working memory as well as to easily access previously learned information. This can lead them to become frustrated and dysregulated, as well as impacting on their overall progress.
Reduced Cognitive Flexibility
Anxiety can limit a child's cognitive flexibility, making it challenging for them to adapt to new situations or approach learning with an open mind. Fear of failure or making mistakes can lead them to develop rigid thinking patterns, hindering their problem-solving abilities and stifling their creativity. Anxious learners may become overly cautious, avoiding challenges that could otherwise foster growth.
Social Interaction
Anxiety also affects a child's social interactions, which can make it more difficult for them to form relationships and collaborate with peers as well as to learn in collaboration with others. Fear of judgement or rejection can create barriers to participation in group activities, reducing opportunities for collaborative learning. Social anxiety may hinder the development of a child’s social skills which further impacts their wellbeing and academic engagement.
How can we help?
Our blog post entitled Anxiety: Helping Worriers Become Warriors includes ways that parents and carers can help children and young people manage their anxiety, but here are four strategies with a specific focus on the learning environment:
Foster a supportive environment. Creating a safe and nurturing learning environment is paramount for anxious learners. Encourage open communication, empathy, and respect among adults and peers. Establish clear expectations, provide positive reinforcement, and promote a growth mindset (link) by emphasising effort rather than focusing on outcomes.
Teach stress management techniques. Introduce age-appropriate stress management techniques such as deep breathing exercises, mindfulness activities and progressive muscle relaxation. These techniques can empower anxious learners to regulate their emotions, reduce their anxiety levels and improve their attention and focus.
Implement structured routines. Establishing clear and predictable routines can provide a sense of security for anxious learners. Familiar schedules and consistent expectations help reduce uncertainty and can allow children to feel more in control and less overwhelmed.
Provide individual support. Recognise that each anxious learner is unique and may require tailored support. Collaborate closely with parents, carers and other professionals to develop personalised strategies that address the child’s specific needs and alleviate anxiety. These may include access to quiet spaces for emotional regulation, movement breaks or adaptations to homework.
