Worry mountains art work: Working with worries and anxiety in children

 The value of using worry mountains with children 

Worry mountains are a great tool to help children learn how to manage their worries and anxieties. They provide a visual representation of how worries can become so overwhelming that children feel like they can’t cope. The worry mountain helps them to see that their worries can be broken down into smaller pieces. It helps to put worries into perspective and encourages children to come up with strategies and solutions to their worries. It is also a great way to help children develop self-awareness and emotional regulation skills.(AI produced)

Worry mountains. (Based on I bet I won't fret by Timothy A Sisemore)

Aim of activity: to paint/draw a worry mountain. 

Choose a worry you would like to explore.

 1. Starting up the mountain. What are your first thoughts when you begin to be nervous?

2. Halfway up. How do your worries and feelings change when they start to get worse?

3. At the top. What are the feelings you have in your body when your worries are the worst? How does your body feel? Any difference from when you started up the mountain?

4. Heading down. What is the first feeling to go away when you start to feel better? What helped your thinking to get better when your worries or nervousness were at their worst?

5. Back on level ground at last. What are you thinking about now? How does your body feel? Any difference from when you started up the mountain?

Students work:

Moodle task: 

Reflection. Self: What are the general things you worry about? how do these impact your life? 

Other: How might you work with a child who is showing signs of worry or anxiety? How might a child show they are anxious or worried?