Anything short term for child with anxiety

[moana1234]

Over the last few months by 6 year old son has developed quite bad anxiety with unknown situations. We are working on techniques to help him in the long term as are school. However I am panicking as he has sports day and a class play which he has a line for in the next few weeks. Is there anything you have found or know about to help in the short term? I was thinking maybe a fidget toy or some similar kind of distraction technique?

Fidget toys might be good. You can get hoodies and T-shirts with fidget toy attached.
Worry monster ( write worries down and it eats them) Books like When My Worries get too big.
Can he articulate what he is worried about?

Another idea is to write worries on post its and literally swat them with a plastic fly swatter ( swatting NATs negative automatic thoughts.

Alternatively play on the positives
I know you are worried about going to ( place) or doing ( event) but X will be there
It will only last 5 minutes/ afterwards we can go to the park etc.

Is it fear of the unknown? Worrying about not coming first/ making mistakes etc.
Prepare him as well as you can for what will or might happen and who to go to/ what to do if he’s overwhelmed.
Might need to do some unpicking. Focus on things he’s good at/ does well.
Do they do Growth Mindset at school? Worth a look.