Two thirds of parents say their primary children experience anxiety over school life

Two thirds of parents say their primary schoolchildren regularly feel anxious about school life.

While the majority (56%) practise calming techniques with their children to lessen daily stresses.

A poll of 1,049 primary school parents suggests three in 10 feel their child learning how to manage anxiety is more important than school work.

The research was commissioned by school communication platform, ClassDojo, to coincide with global initiative, A Mindful Moment.

On Friday the scheme will see students from across the world set aside 30 minutes at 11am to take part in a range of mindful activities, learn relaxation techniques and breathing exercises, and raise money for mental health charities.

Primary school teachers were also questioned as part of the research and 77% of the 777 polled said their students have experienced anxiety about school life.

Chivonne Preston, chief executive of Mindfulness in Schools Project, said: “Events like A Mindful Moment are a great, light introduction to some of the themes of mindfulness and will hopefully raise awareness of the potential benefits that can be obtained from regular practice.

“Mindfulness is a skill which can help individuals flourish, and in the same way that you would learn any new skill, mindfulness is best learnt over a sustained period of time from a teacher who practises it themselves and knows how to teach it.”

The initiative comes at a time when hundreds and thousands of 10 and 11-year-olds are preparing to take their SATs later this month.

Education Secretary, Damian Hinds, said: “I want school to be a place where pupils develop a love of learning and gain the knowledge and skills they need to prepare them for adult life.

“I know many young people can feel worried about exams and school work, especially at this time of year, but it should never be something that has a disproportionate effect on their wellbeing.

“Learning how to cope with life’s inevitable pressures is part of growing up, and I’ve seen how calming the practice of mindfulness can be where schools choose to use it, so I’m pleased to support this Mindful Moment.”