Easing back to school anxiety – for both your child and yourself – largely has to do with how old your child is, what grade they’re going into, and a few other factors (starting a new school, etc). There are many social anxiety issues that kids get a break from all summer, so when it’s time to go back to school, the anxiety can come rushing back with a vengeance. Here are a few ways to work with your child to help ease back to school anxiety this year:
Talk about it. The main root of anxiety for many of us is the “what if”. When a new school year starts, tons of questions come flooding in! Who’s my teacher going to be? Will my friends still be there? Will I fit in? Will I wear the right clothes? Who will I sit with at lunch? Will I make the sports team? Keep an open dialogue with your child so you can discuss these worries when they come up, rather than your child keeping their worries bottled up inside.
Visit. Most of those pesky “what if” questions can easily be answered by attending Open House or Teacher Meet & Greet! Besides getting to meet their teacher(s), your child will get a chance to get comfortable in their new classroom, see what the other kids are wearing, and visit with their friends from the year before. Talking to their teacher(s) about fears they may have will help calm yours as well.
If your child is starting a new school completely, consider requesting a full tour of the campus before the school year actually starts. This will show your child that the new school isn’t as scary as what it seemed at first glance.
Focus on the positive. Starting a new grade is stressful! Instead of allowing your child to dwell on the fact that the schoolwork might be too challenging, or that they might not be wearing the “cool” clothes, focus on the positive – on what can be controlled. Talk with them about happy memories from last year, and how they were worried but everything worked out!
Keep a schedule. In the days before school starts, create a routine. Start going to bed earlier, waking up earlier, and reading books in the evening during what will become homework time. If your kids are going into one of the lower grades, like kindergarten, you may also want to move their lunch and nap times to the schools designated times for these activities, so as to lessen the shock of the school schedule on the first day.
Try yoga or meditation. Learn how to use calm breathing to help control anxiety. This is something you can do pretty much anywhere, which is nice. Other options are yoga and meditation. Seclusion can be good for the right reasons.
Create an oasis. Much like your favorite spot in the house, your child can also find calm in a space that is all their own. While the word “oasis” may seem over the top, it doesn’t need to be! If your child has a walk-in closet, you could use it – or you could use any corner. There are many options, such as a hammock, comfortable chair, or just a pile of blankets and pillows. A mini bookshelf and lamp are good additions to have.
If your child’s anxiety is more serious, or doesn’t seem to improve after you’ve gotten into the new school year routine, consider seeking help from a counselor – either in school or privately. Some anxiety and worry is normal, especially when you’re starting school, but if it gets worse it’s definitely something to be addressed by a professional.
