Prevention Of School Anxiety Among First Graders Through Art Technology

Abstract

Reform of school education increases the demands on primary schoolchildren. In Kazakhstan, there is a massive retraining of primary school teachers to enable them to teach within the new 12-year secondary education school curriculum. Parents impose high demands on the first-graders around successful academic performance under the newly designed curriculum, better performance, and adaptation to school, which causes the development of anxiety in children. This study aims todevelop a school psychologist activity framework to prevent younger schoolchildren’ anxiety through Art Technology. Art Technology is a system of methods, techniques and artistic tools that promote psychological treatment. In the study, the experimental and pedagogical work has been carried out on the basis of Gymnasium No 21 (a primary school) located in Almaty, Kazakhstan. 112 schoolchildren of the first grades participated in this study. To diagnose anxiety, the following methods were used: apparent anxiety scale for children (The Children’s Form of Manifest Anxiety Scale - CMAS); anxiety test ( Temmle, Dorky, Amen, 2002 ). The findings showed a high anxiety level in 36% of the first graders; average anxiety among 43% of the sample and the lowest anxiety among 16%, and high risk group was 5%. Upon implementation of the prevention framework of two blocks ‘Emotions and Feelings’, and ‘Communication and Self-Esteem Improvement’, a decrease in the percentage showing a high anxiety level was noted as it dropped to 20% of first graders, and the average and lowest levels increased to 68%, and 12% respectively of the sample. This proves the effectiveness of the designed framework of anxiety prevention using Art Technology. The prevention framework normalizes anxiety levels in junior schoolchildren.

Keywords: Art Technology in learninganxiety

Introduction

Since the academic year 2016-2017, a new curricula for Grade 1 has been introduced in all

Kazakhstan schools; the introduction of a 12-year secondary education. The tri-lingual program is being

introduced into schools. According to the Minister of Education and Science of Kazakhstan, 73 thousand

primary school teachers have undergone training according to the new methodology (Sagadiev, 2016).

Courses for the development of professional skills in teachers have been developed jointly with

Cambridge University. These changes, apart from positive strategic changes, have created tensions in

classes both in terms of teacher’s work load and impact on schoolchildren. Hence, the problem of

increasing anxiety becomes acute for first-graders.

Problem Statement

First-graders have to adapt in the new conditions of school. A child needs to switch to a different

daily routine, engage in educational activities, stay in a new environment and get used to teachers.

Primary school teachers may also face difficulties in mastering new curricula and teaching methods

pertaining to the primary education reform. Parents impose high demands on first-graders in terms of

successful academic performance under the newly designed curriculum, better performance and

adaptation to school. Many parents, teachers, pedagogical workers wonder how schoolchildren will

handle the increased workload. There is a growing risk of anxiety developing in children. Anxiety affects

not only physical and mental health, but also the schoolchildren’ academic progress. School psychologists

working at school can help schoolchildren handle the elevated anxiety levels based on modern scientific

psychological and pedagogical advancements. In our opinion, it is possible to use new tools such as Art

technologies to solve the problem of anxiety in schoolchildren.

Research Questions

The concerns of the researchers have led to several questions which are explored in this research;

Is it possible to design anxiety prevention framework in first-graders using Art Technology?

3.1 What components will it consist of?

3.2 What approaches can be applied?

3.3 What will be the anxiety level in first-graders after testing the model?

Purpose of the Study

The purpose of this study is to alleviate anxiety levels of young children in schools through the

application of a pedagogical tool, Art Technology, designed around the psychological framework for

anxiety prevention in schoolchildren.

Research Methods

The program for the prevention and correction of anxiety in first-graders was developed by school

psychologists. Practical methods were used, such as observation, including the use of scales and

interviewing. An experimental and pedagogical work, involving 112 first graders was carried out in

Gymnasium No 21 in Almaty. To diagnose anxiety, the following methods were used: scale of apparent

anxiety in children (The Children’s Form of Manifest Anxiety Scale - CMAS); Anxiety test (Temmle,

Dorky, & Amen 2002). The ‘Individual map of first-grader observations’ was developed, based on the

map of observations (CN) by Stott (Gurova, 1992).

Literature Review

Findings

Designing a prevention framework using Art Technology

Art Technology is better structured than Art therapy and has a clear goal and outcome. Of course,

Art Technology also embraces a therapeutic aspect, but it is more adapted within school educational

environment.

A school psychologist cannot violate school regulations; he/she must stay aligned to the

educational process.This causes some difficulties; firstly, a temporary restriction, as unfortunately, any

elective or circle cannot last longer than 45 minutes. The children’s busy schedule, since after classes

many children attend extended day activities, sports sections, makes it difficult to assemble the entire class at one time. These and many other factors made us consider the adaptation of many methods and

techniques, so that they can be really applied in work with younger schoolchildren without interfering

with the educational process.

Preventive work includes the following three interrelated directions:

1. Direct work with children on diagnostics, prevention and correction of anxiety.

2.Psychological education of teachers regarding anxiety as teachers tend to view anxiety rather as

a positive feature that promotes the sense of responsibility, receptivity of a child, and so on.

3. Psychological education of parents. Teaching parents the specific ways on how to overcome the

elevated anxiety level in children, as well as helping children learn the means to overcome anxiety.

The key aspect in prevention and overcoming anxiety is the removal of internal clamps, the

acquisition of motor skills as well as freedom and smoothness of movements, which can be carried out

with the help of teachers of relevant disciplines (rhythmics, physical education, dance-movement therapy,

body-oriented therapies, etc.).

The following anxiety prevention framework for junior schoolchildren was developed by the

researchers with a school psychologist (Figure 01 ).

See Full Size >

The framework includes goals, objectives, principles, areas of prevention, and results.

Program Designing

The experimental work plan was designed according to the methodology of the pedagogical

experiment by Isaeva and Taubayeva (2000). In order to study the influence of Art Technology on the

anxiety level in junior schoolchildren, we conducted a psychological and pedagogical experiment at

Gymnasium No. 21 in Almaty. A total of 112 schoolchildren of the first four classes (1 ‘A’, ‘B’, ‘C’ and

‘D’ classes) participated in the experiment. The gender composition was 56% male and 44% female.

The experiment was conducted in the school year during September 2016 - January 2017. The research

process was as follows:

Stage 1 - ascertaining (September 2016) - selection of methods, organization of a primary survey, study

of literature on the research topic;

Stage 2 - forming (October 2016 - April 2017) - implementation of preventive program through Art

Technology;

Stage 3 - control (April 2017) - re-diagnosis, processing and analysis of findings.

At the ascertaining stage of the experiment, anxiety indicators for younger schoolchildren were

determined. For the study, we chose the following methods:

1. Scale of apparent anxiety in children (The Children’s Form of Manifest Anxiety Scale -

CMAS). In the CIS countries, many people use the option adapted by Prikhozhan. Table 02 shows walls

and characteristics of anxiety levels.

2. Anxiety test (Temmel, Dorky, Amen).

On the basis of the two methods, we designed a scale of anxiety levels to balance the indicators

(Table 02 ).

See Full Size >

3. ‘Individual Map of First-Grader Observations’ was developed based on the observation map

(CN) by Stott (Gurova, 1992).

At the forming stage of the experiment, a comprehensive program for anxiety prevention

through Art Technology was tested (Table 03 ).

See Full Size >

In developing the program, factors such as respondents’ age, lesson length, etc. were taken into

account. The program includes 12 lessons; each lesson is detailed and it is possible to make various

The results were combined in two methods based on the developed anxiety level (Table 02 ). Table

05 shows the results of the experimental and control group before and after the experiment.

See Full Size >

As can be seen from Table 05, the indicators of the average anxiety level in the experimental

group elevated significantly, where low anxiety level in some participants elevated to average, which is

also a good result. As for the control group, improvements are also evident (as the process of adaptation

of first-graders at school was in progress), but not significant.

See Full Size >

As can be seen from Table 05, the indicators of average anxiety level in the experimental group

elevated significantly, where low anxiety level in some participants elevated to average, which is also a

good result. Low anxiety level indicates that the state of anxiety is not peculiar for children. Such children

‘are not adapted to the competitive environment, not demonstrating perseverance when facing

difficulties, and not pursuing high goals’, ‘they perceive the world around them as much more friendly,

and do not see threats from other people’ (Smirnov, 2007).

Thus, in most of the children in the experimental group, anxiety level is normalized. In the

experimental group, 68% of the children showed average anxiety level after the training and high anxiety

level was revealed in 20% of the children, although before the experiment it was 36% in the same

children. There were no risk group children in the experimental group.

As for the control group, improvements can also be noticed (as adaptation process for first-graders

has been launched in schools), but it is not significant. For comparison, in the control group, where no

training was conducted, low anxiety level at the output was shown in 16% of the children, medium

anxiety level at 45%, and high anxiety level at 36%. Almost the same indicators were shown as a result

of input diagnostics.

Two blocks of ‘Emotions and Feelings’ and ‘Communication and Self-Esteem Improvement’ were

used in the above mentioned program.

A statistical method, the t-test was used to determine the reliability of the experimental results. It

was found that differences in anxiety levels before and after the program are statistically significant (temp

= 2.798, p <0.05).

Discussion

The aim of this study was to develop an anxiety prevention framework in junior schoolchildren for

school psychologists using Art Technology. A prevention model was developed that includes the goal,

objectives, principles, capturing three areas of prevention and deliverables. The first area on diagnostics

and correction of anxiety in first-graders is reflected in the received research findings (Figure 01 ). The

main problems of excessive anxiety are manifested, as a rule, in a high level of personal anxiety,

aggressive reactions, in personal or social barriers, and attitudes. A high anxiety level is observed in

schoolchildren, on whom parents put high demands and in children of dysfunctional families. Reported

violations were diagnosed using a set of methods.

The prevention framework was developed based on the model clarified above. As part of the

program, we have included first-grade lessons using Art Technology. Trainings for the children were

conducted by the school psychologist and the program developer. As a result, anxiety indices were

normalised in children. The issue under discussion is the possibility of using the program by primary

school teachers which would require him/her to be trained accordingly. At the same time, Stallard and

Skryabina (2014) found that the successful treatment of school anxiety using the classroom-based

cognitive behavior therapy method was characterized by the effective implementation of the methods by

professional psychologists rather than by trained teachers.

Partial consultations were held with parents and primary school teachers during the

implementation of this program. The issue of active interaction with primary school teachers, which can

also be in the stage of increasing anxiety, requires further study. Anxiety in teachers is associated with

reforms, the effective implementation of the new curriculum and changing teaching methods. Teachers

should use more group teaching methods and more active and stimulating forms of assessment. Teachers

have noted that group teaching methods promote indiscipline during classes, especially for first-graders

and this creates anxiety in teachers which can have a negative influence on schoolchildren and the

learning environment.

More studies can be conducted regarding the influence of and interaction with parents on children

to relieve anxiety. Morgan (2016) showed how consultations with parents on the removal of anxiety in

junior schoolchildren were conducted online.

Conclusion

As a result of the research, a successful anxiety prevention framework to use with first-graders by

a school psychologist and a program for anxiety prevention in junior schoolchildren through Art

Technology have been developed. The prevention framework includes goals, objectives, principles of

prevention, use of Art technologies, areas of prevention and deliverables. Framework testing included the

development of a training program for first-graders was based on Art technologies. Accordingly, out of

the approaches considered, we chose the fourth approach Programs for prevention, correction of anxiety

where the art-pedagogical approach was used. The prevention framework which was covered by a

training included two blocks ‘Emotions and Feelings’ and ‘Communication and Self-Esteem

Improvement’. The training consisted of 12 lessons which were held weekly during extra time or class

hours.

The program proved to be successful in alleviating the anxiety levels of the children in the study

and it is evident that Art Technology and the designed framework can be used to prevent anxiety in first-

graders. As part of the Art Technology program, the pictorial activity was shown to play a crucial role in

restoring the emotional balance of the child’s psyche through individual and group expression in

creativity. This proves that creative activities are pivotal in helping children to deal successfully with the

transition issues when they attend school and with teachers and parental expectations.

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