Emotional Barriers in Kids (Ages 6–12): Understanding Fear of Failure & Anxiety
Discover what causes fear of failure and anxiety in children aged 6–12, and explore practical strategies, games, and activities to boost confidence and emotional resilience. WHY EMOTIONAL BARRIERS MATTER? Children don’t just learn with their minds—they learn with their hearts too. Between ages 6–12, kids are building self-esteem and identity. If their emotions get in the way, learning feels scary instead of exciting. Two of the most common emotional barriers are fear of failure and anxiety. Left unchecked, these feelings can hold a child back, even when they have the ability to succeed. WHAT CAUSES FEAR OF FAILURE? 1. High Expectations – feeling pressured to always get things right. 2. Past Experiences – being teased, punished, or compared when they made mistakes. 3. Perfectionism – believing anything less than perfect means “I failed.” 4. Low Confidence – thinking “I’m not smart enough” before even trying. How It Shows Up: ∆ Avoids challenges (“I don’t want to try”). ...