Anxiety in schools and the role of the cerebellum in emotional regulation!

There  is a troubling escalation in emotional dysregulation among children within UK schools, a phenomenon that parents with school-aged children (ourselves included) may have observed first-hand. Instances of school refusal, heightened anxiety upon returning home, and friendship issues persist, underscoring a pervasive issue.

This distressing trend finds its roots in several factors that my sister and I have been discussing with teachers across the UK. Higher academic expectations, the pandemic, intensified social media exposure, and evolving family dynamics are listed as some of the reasons. As a consequence,  a growing number of children grapple with alarming levels of anxiety making learning in school much harder. The imperative for comprehensive emotional support and education within the school system has never been more pressing.

If we look at the science for a moment,  multiple parts of the brain are involved in emotional regulation. The cerebellum is one and is located at the back of the brain, underneath the occipital lobes, near the brainstem. . It connects to the limbic system, responsible for emotions, and modulates emotional responses ( alongside other important things such as movement control, posture, co-ordination and balance) Disruptions in cerebellar function can lead to emotional imbalances, impacting mood regulation. A  well-functioning cerebellum is crucial for maintaining emotional stability and overall mental well-being.

Teaching children (and adults!)  emotional regulation skills involves targeted strategies aimed at calming the central nervous system and stimulating specific brain regions such as the cerebellum. The programme that we have introduced into schools combines these elements alongside lifestyle medicine (how we eat, sleep and move)

Engaging in activities that challenge the cerebellum, like balance exercises and rhythmic movements, enhances neural connections. These exercises refine motor skills, improve focus, and foster emotional resilience. By incorporating such practices into their routine, children can develop stronger coping mechanisms, better self-regulation, and a heightened sense of emotional well-being, laying the foundation for healthier emotional responses and improved overall mental health.

We have provided a short video of  one of the many exercises we use with children to activate the neural connections in the  cerebellum. Let us know how you get on with it!