Back-to-School Anxiety Advice for Parents
The start of a new school year can bring lots of emotions in children and while many young people may feel excited and enthusiastic for the change, others may be feeling overwhelmed and anxious. A new classroom, new class teacher and new unfamiliar routines can be a lot for children and young people to manage and it is natural that as a parent you want to support your child in the best possible way.
Here are a few simple ways you can help your child during this time:
1. Acknowledge Their Feelings
Let your child know that it’s normal to feel nervous. Encourage them to talk about what worries them, and listen without judgment. Sometimes just being heard can reduce anxious feelings.
2. Establish a Predictable Routine
Start adjusting sleep and morning routines before school begins. Predictability helps children feel safe and in control. A pictorial schedule may also be helpful for children who have a preference for visual information.
3. Focus on the Positives
Talk about what they might look forward to, for example, seeing friends, learning more about their favourite subject or joining an after-school club. Help them to think of a few enjoyable things about school to shift the focus from wholly negative.
4. Do a Practice Run
If possible, walk or drive past the school, visit the playground, or rehearse the drop-off. This familiarity will help to reduce your child’s anxiety and make their first day less intimidating.
5. Teach Calming Strategies
Introduce simple breathing exercises or grounding activities they can use when they feel nervous. A few slow, deep breaths can make a big difference. A favourite of ours is the 54321 grounding exercise where children are asked to identify 5 things they can see, 4 things they can touch, 3 things they can hear, 2 things they can smell and 1 thing they can taste. Connecting with their senses in this way helps a child to come back into the present when they are feeling overwhelmed with thoughts in their head.
6. Stay Calm Yourself
Children pick up on our emotions. Therefore, if you remain calm and confident, they’re more likely to feel the same. It’s good to have open conversations with children from a young age about different emotions and role modelling self-care is a great way to get young people into the habit of communicating how they are feeling and finding what helps them to feel regulated and settled.
Back-to-school anxiety is common and with support and reassurance, most children are able to manage the transition and settle in after the first few days. By being present, empathetic and proactive, parents can help make the transition smoother and even exciting!
