Here are useful tips and suggestions on how you can reduce your child’s back-to-school anxiety and help him/her cope with the stress.

Most parents are familiar with this event– your child is done with summer break and is dreading going back to school. He throws a fit, howls, and begs you to come with him. As a result, many may mistake this behavior for a mere tantrum. But, it is time to wake up and smell the coffee, as your child may be suffering from back-to-school anxiety.

What is back-to-school anxiety?

Back-to-school anxiety is the feeling of stress or tension that children and teenagers face. They get nervous in situations that involve returning to school after a break, kindergarteners starting school, or students changing school. Children suffering from back-to-school anxiety may throw temper tantrums. In addition to this, children may even complain of physical conditions such as a headache or stomach cramps or become irritable.

The common worries that most children suffering from back-to-school anxiety include:

  • Will I make friends in class?
  • Will my teacher be mean?
  • Am I looking alright?
  • What if math is too hard for me?
  • What if my teacher punishes me?
  • What if my first day of school after the holidays goes terribly?

How does one tackle this condition?

Anxiety needs to be dealt with differently when it comes to children and teenagers. Therefore, as a parent, keep in mind that you can’t apply the same techniques for both.

Dealing with back-to-school anxiety in small children

  • Set up a daily routine, a week ahead of starting school- Plan a schedule for waking up, breakfast, lunch, homework, playtime, etc to get your child acclimatized to a certain routine. This will help your child overcome his/her anxiety considerably.
  • Be as detailed as possible- Talk to your child like a friend, in a calm manner, explaining all details of what follows when one enters a class. In addition to this, you can mention details such as ‘keeping your notebook on the table,’ or ‘finding your seat,’ etc. This in turn can help children visualize what they are in for and help lessen their stress.
  • Keep everything ready in advance- From the child’s bag to the clothes, everything should be picked out and organized way in advance so that he or she is well prepared. Call in an early night if your child is too nervous or excited. Doing this helps reduce anxiety and stress in children.

Dealing with the condition in teenagers

Help your child in setting up some goals for the year- you can keep your child motivated and driven by setting up some goals for the year. This helps them stay focused and strive to achieve their targets. With time, you will notice that your child’s anxiety is reducing.

Be open to discussion- teenage years can be tough for children and as a parent. Hence, it’s your duty to hear them out and talk to them openly. Before they go back to school, discuss the fears that they might be having. Also, make them feel comforted.

How to help children starting school for the first time

Take regular trips to the school in advance- make your child familiar with the route to the school so that he or she eventually feels comfortable.

Introduce your child to the school’s environment- make sure you take your kid to the school frequently and make him get the feel of the environment. This in turn helps a great deal in the acclimatization process and overcoming back-to-school anxiety.

Create positive ways of saying goodbye- saying bye can sometimes be an emotional experience for kids. However, you can invent fun and creative ways of saying goodbye such as cheers or giving a high five to make your child realize that goodbyes are not a sad event always.

Motivate your child- keep assuring your child that his or her day is going to be brilliant. Doing this can them excited for the day forward.

Reward your child- involve your family members and have them congratulate your child for handling the first day of school like a boss! This will reassure him or her that going to school is not such a bad thing after all.

So, are you ready to apply these techniques to deal with anxiety like a pro?

Disclaimer: This is not medical advice but suggested techniques that you can try. If none of these seem to work, you may need an advanced form of treatment.

Here’s the long-lasting solution to get rid of your child’s back-to-school anxiety

Neurofeedback: With this treatment, your child can overcome back-to-school anxiety and fears completely. To learn more, watch this video.

In addition to these tips, Brain & Co. offers med-free treatment that could help you overcome some of the challenges that come with depression/anxiety/sleep issues, etc. Visit our website or give us a call to learn more.