A child’s fear of making mistakes may appear as avoidance, repeated reassurance seeking, frustration, or emotional distress. Learn how perfectionism and anxiety can be connected and how families can provide support.

Children experience many emotions throughout the day, but they do not always have the words or skills to explain what they are feeling. Anxiety may look like avoidance. Frustration may appear as yelling, crying, or refusing. Sadness may cause a child to withdraw. Sometimes, behavior becomes the child’s way of communicating when words feel unavailable. Understanding what may be happening beneath the behavior allows parents, caregivers, and therapists to respond with support. W