Maybe your child is heading off to school for the first time this fall. On the other hand, perhaps your child has already entered school, but they’ll be advancing to a new grade in a different building, or you’ve moved to a new district.
Any of these scenarios can be anxiety-inducing for young children. Additionally, some children who are going back to school within the same building and district still get a little nervous as the summer comes to a close.
Back to school anxiety is very common amongst children. Thankfully, as a parent, there is plenty you can do to help your child ease their nerves. Here are a few tips that may alleviate your child’s back to school anxiety.
Let Them Know What to Expect
Your child might be uncertain about what to expect on their first day of school. Talk to them about what will happen throughout the school day.
For example, you can discuss different classroom activities, good manners like raising their hand, what sorts of subjects their teacher will introduce, and other children who they already know who will be in their class. When your child can picture their first day of school clearly, they might feel a bit calmer.
Focus on the Positives
Perhaps your child assumes that they will be held to extremely strict standards in school, or that they will have to spend all of their time quietly doing hard work. Tell your child about all of the fun aspects of school that you think they’ll enjoy.
This could include everything from recess and lunchtime with their friends to learning about specific subjects that they are already interested in, like science or reading. Feel free to mention anything they’ll get to do at school that they wouldn’t necessarily get to do at home. Chances are, your child will find something to get excited about!
Practice Your Routines
A couple of weeks before school starts, it’s a good idea to begin getting your child adjusted to their routine for the school year. This might include setting up a bedtime and morning routine, with set times for going to sleep and waking up.
You may want to walk your child through the process of packing up their backpack or lunchbox. If your child will be taking the bus, consider walking them to the bus stop or even driving along the route to the school.
Set Up Playdates
Does your child already know some of the other kids who will be in their class this year? If they have not seen their school friends in a while, now is the perfect time to start setting up playdates.
Reach out to their friends’ parents and see if you can coordinate dates and times. When your child reconnects with their school friends, they’ll likely feel eager to head back to school.
Give Them a “Memento”
Finally, it’s okay to be sentimental about your child heading off to school. Remind them that no matter where they are, they can always rely on you. In fact, you might even want to give them a small memento that they can hold on to and bring to school.
Just make sure to choose something that would not be disruptive to the class. Your child can keep this memento to remind them that they are safe and secure. They may also want to wear a favorite shirt or other article of clothing that brings them comfort.
Are you concerned about your child’s back to school anxiety? A therapist can help them prepare. Reach out to learn more about our child therapy services.