Child Anxiety Learning Modules (CALM): A Manual for School Nurses

Abstract

This book identifies a significant service gap in addressing excessive anxiety among elementary students, noting that fewer than half receive adequate school-based support. It emphasizes that school nurses often serve as the first point of identification because students frequently present with physical symptoms associated with anxiety. The book introduces the Child Anxiety Learning Modules (CALM) program as a structured intervention grounded in cognitive behavioral strategies that reduce anxiety. It outlines the program’s design as a brief intervention delivered through five individual sessions, with an optional parent meeting to extend support. Finally, the book presents the manual as a comprehensive, step-by-step resource that equips school nurses with practical tools, clear guidance, and student-centered materials to support anxious students effectively.