Performance anxiety in children: talking about it to better tame it
At La Bulle Atypique, we are committed to supporting children — and their parents — in understanding emotions that are sometimes difficult to express.
Recently, a newly released book caught our attention: L’anxiété de performance racontée aux enfants (Performance Anxiety Explained to Children), published by Éditions de Mortagne.
👉 This book is not for sale on La Bulle Atypique.
It is available directly on the publisher's website, which we invite you to consult if you wish to purchase it.
📖 A book to put words to an invisible pressure
This book tells the story of Jade, a child who loves to play the piano… but who feels overwhelmed by stress when she has to play in front of others. Her heart races, her thoughts become negative, and the fear of not being good enough takes over.
Through this illustrated story, the child discovers that:
- performance stress is a common emotion,
- it's normal to be afraid of making mistakes,
- a person's worth does not depend on their success or results.
The narrative is complemented by simple self-observation tools, designed to help the child better understand what is happening inside them.
🤔 What is performance anxiety in children?
Performance anxiety appears when a child feels strong pressure related to how others perceive them or the fear of failure. It can occur in many daily situations:
- at school (evaluations, reading aloud, presentations),
- during sports or artistic activities,
- when facing high expectations (real or imagined).
It can manifest as:
- stomach aches or headaches,
- crying, blocking, avoidance,
- thoughts like “I’m going to fail,” “I’m not capable.”
In some children — especially sensitive, anxious, or atypical children — this pressure can become overwhelming if not understood and supported.
💬 Why it's essential to talk about it with children
Putting words to performance anxiety allows the child to:
- understand that they are not alone,
- identify their emotions without shame,
- learn that mistakes are part of the journey,
- develop more stable self-esteem, independent of results.
This book precisely offers this: opening a dialogue, without dramatizing, with great kindness.
🌱 Why La Bulle Atypique recommends this book
Even if we don't sell it, this book fully aligns with the values of La Bulle Atypique:
- respect for the child's pace,
- understanding emotions,
- non-judgmental support,
- concrete tools for daily life.
It is a valuable complementary resource for families, teachers, and professionals who wish to help children move forward with more serenity.
📌 In summary
✔️ A book to explain performance anxiety with simple words
✔️ A story that many children can relate to
✔️ A gentle, reassuring, and non-blaming approach
✔️ A shared reading to open discussion
📘 The book is available on the official website of Éditions de Mortagne.
