Back-To-School Anxiety
Tips to Ease into School After a Pandemic
Many kids face anxiety leading up to going back to school, and COVID-19 has certainly made that more prevalent. While we are facing the unknown, it’s easy to get caught up in stress and worry about what the future holds for both parents and students. The pandemic has led to more togetherness, and now that school is back in person, kids may be facing elevated levels of anxiety, specifically separation anxiety and social anxiety. The school year is approaching us soon, so we would like to give you some tips for both parents and kids on how to best ease into the school year with minimized anxiety!
Check in on your own stress levels
While it may be easy to always check in on your kids anxiety levels, it is just as important to check yours too. Kids are sponges, and can take on any information or feelings you show. The more stress and anxiety you have before school could cause more stress and anxiety within your kids too. As a parent, you can make sure to reinforce a healthy routine for both you and your kids. A routine will help ease you and your kids out of summer and into a new year that is more disciplined. Start to wake up at a certain time, have healthy breakfasts, and take them school shopping! It is also important to express feelings of gratitude and enthusiasm about school rather than worrisome emotions. The more you feel happy about the start of the school year, the more your kids may feel the same way.
Validate their feelings
While you may be able to set a positive tone around school for your kids, that doesn’t mean they won’t still struggle. Responding to your child’s feelings in a validating way will make them feel less alone, and realize they can get through it with you right by their side. If you child says “I miss you, I don’t want to go to school,” respond by saying “I miss you too, and I am so proud of you for going!”
Familiarize your child with the school and peers
To help ease the transition of going back to school, practice some “test runs” of going to school. You can rehearse, drop off and pick up, walk around the school and talk about the amazing things they will get to learn while there. You can also set up play-dates before school starts with some of your child’s peers so they see familiar faces on their first day back. Research shows that the presence of a familiar peer during school transitions can improve children's academic and emotional adjustment.
When to seek counseling
If your child continues to struggle severely with separation anxiety, social anxiety, or continuous meltdowns after a few weeks into school, it may be wise to seek the help of a counselor. Therapists can help focus on steps to relieve separation anxiety, work with teachers, focus on behavioral and learning techniques, and relieve stress surrounding social anxiety. Arcadian Therapy will help you and your child ease back into school with as little anxiety as possible, and can help be a stepping stone to a positive school year!
