In classrooms everywhere , whether in the UK, UAE, or elsewhere — teachers are seeing more children struggling with anxiety. Supporting anxious students in the classroom has become an everyday reality for many educators. While the emotional challenges may look similar on the surface: withdrawn students, behavioural issues, or sudden outbursts, the causes can vary dramatically depending on circumstances. In different parts of the world, though, a powerful underlying theme continues to show up: emotional neglect, often masked by ‘things’.
The Two Sides of the Same Coin: Anxiety in the UK and UAE
In the UK, some children experience anxiety linked to a lack of emotional security, consistent support, financial stability, or quality time with their caregivers. With stretched households, mental health waitlists, and cost-of-living pressures, some children grow up absorbing fear and instability from a young age.
Meanwhile, in the UAE — a country known for its wealth and global diversity, children may experience anxiety in a very different way. Many parents want the best for their children and express this through material gifts: gadgets, holidays, credit cards, and designer clothes. But money doesn’t equal emotional connection. Quietly, many students are struggling with what can only be described as emotional neglect. They’re surrounded by luxury, yet feel alone, misunderstood, unheard, or under constant pressure to perform
The result? Teachers everywhere find themselves in the same position: holding space for anxious children, often without adequate training, time, or emotional support themselves.
When Parents Do Their Best — But It’s Not What Their Child Needs
It’s important to approach this topic with compassion. Most parents, wherever they reside, love their children deeply. They work long hours to provide, to protect, and to ensure their child doesn’t “go without.” But many adults are parenting from their own unmet emotional needs or from a cultural script that equates success with stuff.
In both cultures, the following beliefs often show up:
- “If I buy them something, they’ll feel better.”
- “I didn’t have this growing up, so I’m giving it to them now.”
- “I don’t have time, but at least they have everything they want.”
But what children truly want, and what helps their mental health — is not more, but presence:
- Eye contact.
- Consistent routines.
- A sense of being seen, heard, and held emotionally.
When these basic emotional needs are overlooked, children internalise anxiety, and teachers are the ones left noticing the signs: the fidgeting, the zoning out, the perfectionism, the tears.
What Emotional Neglect Looks Like in the Classroom
Teachers may spot emotional neglect through:
- Hyper-independence (a child who “doesn’t need anyone”)
- Attention-seeking behaviour that stems from needing connection
- Perfectionism and a deep fear of making mistakes
- Explosive reactions over small things
- Emotional numbness or withdrawal
These signs often reflect children who are not getting the emotional scaffolding they need at home. And whether it’s because a parent is juggling three jobs or overcompensating with gifts, the result is the same — a child who is anxious and unsure how to feel safe in the world.
Supporting Anxious Students in the Classroom: What You Can Do
You can’t fix what’s happening at home. But your presence and response can become a powerful protective factor. Here are small but impactful ways teachers can support emotionally neglected or anxious children:
1. Create Predictability
Routine builds safety. Let students know what to expect each day and use visual cues or soft reminders to keep them grounded.
2. Check in Emotionally
Ask simple questions such as: “How are you today?” or “Is there anything on your mind?” It takes 10 seconds and builds emotional awareness.
3. Use Emotional Language
Label emotions when you see them. “You look frustrated — that must be hard.” This helps students feel seen and starts to build their emotional vocabulary.
4. Model Calm Responses
If a child is melting down, staying calm and regulated yourself teaches them something more powerful than any lesson: that emotions are manageable.
5. Don’t Take It Personally
An anxious or emotionally neglected child may push you away, act rude, or shut down. Remember: it’s not about you — it’s about how safe they feel inside.
Teachers Need Support Too
Many teachers are emotionally stretched. You care deeply, often more than anyone realises, and it can be overwhelming to hold space for so many young people. Amid all this, try to hold onto this reminder:
- You are doing enough.
- You can’t pour from an empty cup.
- It’s okay to set emotional boundaries while still being caring and supportive.
Look for peer support where you can. Advocate for mental health training in your school. Use programmes like M.Y.T.E, which are designed to support both students and educators in building emotional tools and confidence.
Final Thoughts: It’s About Connection, Not Correction
Whether in a busy London primary or a high-performing Dubai school, the truth is the same: children need emotional connection more than they need correction, performance, or possessions.
As teachers, you are already doing something incredible — you are offering consistency, care, and presence, often when no one else is. That matters more than you know. So…let’s keep talking about supporting anxious students in the classroom, and making sure those who care for them are supported too.
If you’re a teacher looking for tools to better support anxious students in your classroom while also protecting your own emotional energy, the M.Y.T.E Programmes can help.
M.Y.T.E which stands for ‘Manage your Thoughts and Emotions’, offers simple, effective strategies to build emotional awareness, confidence, and calm for both students and educators. Whether you’re in the UK, UAE, or beyond, you don’t have to carry this alone.