In everyday conversations with children, worry is often easier to explore when there is something simple and visual to point to. My Worry Wheel is a child-friendly anxiety coping skills poster that helps kids name what they are feeling and choose a small, practical calming strategy for that moment.
Children are supported to move from feeling overwhelmed to having a clear next step they can try. The wheel is organised around common worry experiences, including a funny tummy, a busy worried brain, feeling scared, wanting to cry, body tension, sensory overload and worry that will not go away.
Each segment offers brief coping prompts written in simple language for younger children. Strategies include smelling the flower and blowing out the candle for breathing practice, using the 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 grounding technique, putting worries in a worry box, writing or drawing worries, moving the body, taking a quiet break and talking to someone trusted.
The format would suit primary school children, anxious kids who need reassurance, and children who benefit from visual prompts rather than long explanations. Parents, carers, teachers, school pastoral staff, counsellors and child mental health practitioners could use it during one-to-one chats, classroom wellbeing work, therapy sessions or calm corners.
Because the wheel links body feelings with coping actions, it can help children recognise early signs of anxiety and practise self-regulation before distress escalates. It is also useful as a printable worry poster, anxiety toolkit sheet or emotional regulation aid for home, school or clinical settings.
