Back to School Anxiety: How to Help Kids Return with Confidence
“Will I fit in?”
“Will people like me?” “Will I like my teachers?"
These questions and so many others can swirl like a tornado through a student’s mind as the return to school draws closer.
Younger children may not be able to articulate these thoughts and feelings, but some signs of anxiety in their age group can include:
Physical symptoms like stomach aches, feeling tired frequently, not wanting to sleep alone
Throwing tantrums when parents or caregivers drop them off at school
Not getting along with family members or friends
No matter the age of the student, the question underneath all the anxiety is, "Am I going to be ok?" And that's the question underneath most anxiety for someone at any age. So the key is to thank the anxiety because it's trying to keep you safe. When you shift your perspective on it, the anxiety starts to decrease, and you can remind yourself in your thoughts that you'll be ok because you've made it through other uncertain things before, and you'll do it again.
Parents and caregivers can help ease the anxiety in these ways:
Validate the thoughts and emotions. Tell them it’s normal to feel nervous about new things, that they have what it takes to make it through hard things, and that school will be fun once they get comfortable after a few days.
Tell them stories about times when you were nervous and how you made it through. They need to know they aren’t the only one feeling this way.
Prepare them to help other students who will also be nervous. Turning their focus toward serving someone else helps to “change the channel” on the anxious thinking.
Take them to the campus a few days before school starts so they can get a head start on what to expect. Having a picture in our mind of a future circumstance can help bring comfort.
If the anxiety continues to persist or worsen after a few weeks, consulting with a licensed therapist should be considered.