Picture Book for Anxious Students: Wilma Jean the Worry Machine by Julia Cook
Primary education classrooms are seeing an increase in students who present with special needs who require additional support structures to assist them in engaging in learning and reaching their academic goals. One area of special needs primary students are increasingly displaying in the classroom are symptoms of anxiety. Anxiety is defined as a feeling of being persistently worried, fearful or apprehensive over everyday occurrences, events or situations. Anxiety can prevent individuals from full participating in their everyday lives and may lead to social isolation. The same can be said for young students – anxiety may prevent them from taking risks in their learning or being an active participant in their learning.
Young students who present to classrooms showing signs of anxiety or persistent worrying must be supported. Supporting students with anxiety is essential to allowing them to engage fully in their learning. Seeing a school counsellor or psychologist can assist to provide students with coping strategies. Classroom teachers have a role to play in supporting these students and they can have a positive impact on student interaction in the classroom.
A great book I came across to assist some students in my class who have anxiety is a book called ‘Wilma Jean the Worry Machine’ by Julia Cook. It is a great book that young children can relate to and engage with. The book is funny so it captures student’s attention. The best part of the book is that it integrates tools for students to use to try and assist them in managing their anxiety, for example, the book explores the tool of wearing a worry hat.
This is a great book to read with students as a whole class to encourage them to talk about their worries and fears in a safe and supportive environment through relating to the character in the book. You could ask students prompting questions like ‘When have you felt worried like Wilma Jean?’
A good idea after doing a shared reading session with the book is to do a class brainstorm of ways your class can deal with their anxiety – could they use a worry hat? Could they use a bottle filled with water and glitter to shake away their anxiety? Could they use a fidget spinner or comfort toy?
It is important to discuss with students their worry and fears but more so to negotiate with students’ effective ways they can cope with their anxiety. We all experience some anxiety in our lives but for children it can be a hard thing to deal with. Anything we as teachers can do to assist them is a must do to ensure students can engage in their learning fully.
The book ‘Wilma Jean the Worry Machine' by Julia Cook can be purchased from the Book Depository.