 |
After a fun recess outside with friends, Katie returns to the classroom and experiences severe anxiety during a spelling test. An upset tummy, sweaty palms, pounding head, and teary eyes lead her to scribble aggressively with her pencil on her desk. A fellow classmate calls attention to Katie, only exacerbating her fear and embarrassment. Miss Julie, their teacher, encourages her to meet with her after class. Sobbing, Katie apologizes for scribbling on her desk and confesses that she “felt sick” at test time. She discusses with her teacher that this has developed as a pattern response nearly every time tests are given. Katie begins to be apprehensive about going to school each morning and discusses her fears and test anxiety with supportive, reassuring parents.
After Miss Julie introduces Katie to a calming “belly breathing” exercise, acknowledging that getting nervous before tests is not uncommon, things begin to change for the better. A fun board game involving tracing images and slowly breathing in and out becomes a favorite classroom activity for the entire class.
There are few children’s picture books focusing specifically on the phenomena of test anxiety, especially written for an elementary school audience. Therefore, Jeffrey’s book fills an important niche. Young children with whom this title is shared could be provided the healthy opportunity to learn they are not alone in experiencing such a phobia. This could help facilitate discussion among parents, children, teachers, and school counselors, serving as a helpful pathway to addressing such issues. As the author notes in an afterthoughts section, young students need not suffer silently, as numerous resources and tools are available for teachers and caregivers assisting anxious children. With issues of mental health affecting record numbers of populations—including children—this book could undeniably serve as a beneficial resource.