Meet Norbert — The Worry Wart Who Helps Kids Outsmart Anxiety

Norbert is a Worry Wart. And he loves to show up (especially at bedtime) to list every single thing that could go wrong. 🙄

Sound familiar?

Your kids—or the kids you work with—might not have a Norbert yet. But chances are... they’ve got worries. Big ones. Small ones. Sneaky ones.

And that’s where Norbert comes in.

Why Give Worry a Name?

When kids give their anxiety a name, a face, and even a goofy voice, something amazing happens: Worry becomes easier to handle.

Instead of feeling stuck in a swirl of scary thoughts, kids can say, “Oh, that’s just Norbert talking again.”

That tiny shift helps kids:

• Feel less overwhelmed

• Talk about their feelings

• Take back control

Psychologists call it “externalizing. ”We call it naming your Worry Wart.

How Kids Can Create Their Own Norbert

Here’s how to help kids turn their anxiety into a character they can talk to—and talk back to:

🖍️ 1. Draw It

Is it a spiky monster? A foggy blob? A buzzing bug in a bowtie? No wrong answers. Just start sketching.

📝 2. Name It

Norbert’s taken—but your kid’s Worry Wart might be called Grumble, Zorp, or The Dread Pirate Doubts.

🗣️ 3. Give It a Voice

Does it squeak? Whisper? Shout in dramatic slow motion? Now try talking back: “Thanks for the warning, Worry Wart, but I’ve got this.”

📚 4. Tell Its Story

Make worry a sidekick—not the star. Your child is the hero, and their worry gets smaller as they get braver.

Norbert Wants Friends

If your kids (or students) make their own Worry Warts, we’d love to see them! Seriously—Norbert could use a crew.

Snap a pic, send it our way, and let’s make worry a little less scary—and a whole lot sillier.

🚂 Want more tools like Norbert to help kids navigate worry and anxiety in playful, empowering ways?

Check out Less Stress Express — full of fun, easy tools for families, classrooms, and anyone who works with kids. We’ve got versions for home, school, libraries, and more.

Let’s give kids the tools (and language!)

they need to handle worry

without letting it drive the train.