Anxiety and Worry Role Play Scenarios
“What if the goats bite? What if the bus gets lost?” In these anxiety and worry role play scenarios, Itzel’s what-ifs about a farm trip open the first of twenty scripted scenes for Grades 2–5.
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About this resource
“What if the goats bite? What if the bus gets lost?” In these anxiety and worry role play scenarios, Itzel’s what-ifs about a farm trip open the first of twenty scripted scenes for Grades 2–5. In each one, the Worry Shrinker catches a worry, checks how likely it is and finds a way to make it smaller: Self-Management for everyday worries.
What students practice
- Catching what-if thoughts
- Checking whether a worry is likely
- Saving worries for a Worry Box or worry time
- Taking one small brave step
- Getting ready for something new
What’s inside
- 20 scripted scenes; in 15 of them, a classmate plays an imaginary Worry Scientist who asks questions while the Worry Shrinker comes up with the ideas
- 100 discussion cards, five per scene, such as “Checking the Evidence” and “The Smallest Step”
- A detailed teacher script and a flexible outline
- Objectives, a materials list with optional Worry Scientist props (a lab coat, goggles or a clipboard) and tips; 50 pages
A look inside
- Meeting Kiwi: Ira has always been nervous around dogs, so she watches a neighbor’s new puppy first, then moves one sidewalk square closer at a time.
- The Worry Box on the Shelf: in the middle of math, Joelle saves her swim test worry for the class Worry Box, which Ms. Kearney opens at end-of-day check-in.
- A Visit Before Monday: Imogen’s family just moved, and she visits her new school’s front office on Friday to collect answers before her first day.
- Worry time shows up three ways: a family couch, a club’s “Worry O’Clock” and an evening worry walk.
How to use these anxiety and worry role play scenarios
- Start with the 5–7 minute introduction, then hand out roles, including the Worry Scientist
- Act out a scene in 10–15 minutes and talk about what the worry was and what helped it shrink
- Redo the scene with a different worry-shrinking step and compare the outcomes
- Finish with 5–10 minutes of sharing and the scene’s five discussion cards
Grade fit
The worries are kid-sized: a basement laundry basket, a barking dog, a first plane ride, a museum sleepover. Students can read the role play scripts or use their own words, a gentle SEL way to practice coping skills for anxiety in Grades 2–5.
Good to know
The PDF includes a note on care: if a student shares a worry that seems very big, keeps coming back or involves their safety, thank them, follow up privately and bring in a trusted adult such as a parent or your school’s support staff.
Pairs well with
For more anxiety and worry activities, try Anxiety and Worry Scenario Cards or Anxiety and Worry What Would You Do? Cards.
Questions teachers ask
Who plays the Worry Scientist?
A classmate. The Worry Scientist is imaginary and only asks questions; the Worry Shrinker always comes up with the idea. An optional lab coat, goggles or clipboard can mark the role.
Are the scenes about serious anxiety?
No, they cover everyday worries. The PDF's note on care explains what to do if a student shares a bigger worry.
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