Common elements and challenges in the design and implementation of school-based interventions for preschoolers’ anxiety: A review

Abstract

Anxiety is the most prevalent mental health issue among preschoolers. It is associated with students’ social and academic difficulties in childhood, as well as mental health outcomes in later life. Preschool is the first formal setting where young children join the broader social life, making it a strategic context for early intervention of preschoolers’ anxiety. This study reviewed 25 articles that conducted 27 experiments and synthesized 16 Tier 1 and Tier 2 school-based interventions, identifying four common elements in their designs: the use of age-appropriate cognitive-behavioral techniques, play-based activity designs, emphasis on parental involvement, and a focus on practice. While these interventions demonstrated promising effects on reducing preschoolers’ anxiety, challenges associated with the parental involvement and implementation constraints may limit their effectiveness. Future research should address these challenges to enhance the widespread use of early anxiety prevention and interventions.