It's understandable that he will have a hard time changing activities because leaving the familiar for the unfamiliar can also be a little scary. And anything that would be a little adventuresome may be overwhelming. An anxious child faces many challenges at once, and sometimes other factors may intensify the anxiety. The child may be advanced verbally, but weaker in visual-spatial thinking, so managing big spaces like a classroom can be challenging. It's scary too if he doesn't quite see how all the pieces of a large space fit together to create a much needed sense of security.
Stress can also intensify the anxiety.
What You Can Do Make calming, supportive gestures. At the same time, don't fall into the trap of being overprotective, because this child needs to learn self-sufficiency and assertiveness. Remember, he has a hard time flexing his muscles and being assertive because he's so scared of new things. Provide soothing and nurturing care while, at the same time, encouraging self-sufficiency and assertiveness. Everyone else is moving.