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Back-to-school season comes with many new things: pencils, backpacks, and, for some kids, increased feelings of anxiety or worry. Fortunately, there’s a lot parents and caregivers can do to help smooth their child’s transition and set them up for success.
At our 10 office locations in Jacksonville, Amelia Island, and Saint Johns, Florida, our top-notch medical and behavioral health practitioners at Angel Kids Pediatrics provide a full scope of pediatric care services, ranging from sick visits and well-child exams to mental health evaluations and more.
With over 30 providers and many staff members, we make getting the quality help your child needs easy and accessible, while also building lasting relationships for better health.
Signs of back-to-school anxiety
The idea of starting a new school year can cause stress in certain children, especially those who already struggle with anxiety. Signs of increased worry can include repeating the same questions about school even after they have been answered, experiencing physical symptoms like headaches, stomachaches, and trouble sleeping, and not wanting to attend school tours, meet teachers, or take part in other school-related events.
Managing your child’s anxiety
The good news is there are concrete steps you can take to help your child confront and overcome their school-related fears. We recommend that you:
1. Prepare early
Starting a week or two before school begins, start easing your child back into their normal school routine. This could include practicing a school morning in advance with waking up, getting dressed, having breakfast, packing their backpack, and perhaps even walking or driving to the school.
The evening before these “practice school runs,” have them lay out their choice of clothes for the following day and adhere to an appropriate bedtime.
2. Visit if possible
Advance practice can help children feel less anxious when the actual first day of school arrives. Walk or drive to the school a few times and go through the motions of the drop-off procedure. Play on the playground and, if possible, walk around inside the building to find the classroom, bathroom, cafeteria, and more. Meet their teacher in advance if you have the opportunity.
3. Arrange playdates
Facing a new school year can feel easier with familiar faces for support. If children are new or have lost touch with friends, have a few playdates in advance so they know there will be people they recognize when they get there.
4. Develop a few strategies
Plan ways to handle separation anxiety in advance. While this means different methods for different families and situations, it could include arranging a prize or other reward for your child for successfully separating; it could also include asking a friend or other adult at the school to welcome your child into the classroom to help ease the morning hand-off transition.
5. Listen and validate
Listen to what your child says, and take their concerns seriously rather than dismissing them with comments like, “Don’t worry, you will be fine.”
Acknowledge their feelings and help them strategize with various likely situations — but don’t feel you must solve their problem for them. Instead, express confidence in your child and their abilities, so they feel more self-assured and confident, too.
When your child’s anxiety continues
Even if there’s some whining and tears, most children recover quickly once separation is complete and the school day begins. However, if they continue to struggle with parting or have fears and anxieties that affect their ability to function at school, it’s a good idea to give us a call or come in for a special visit with your pediatrician.
If your child is excessively worried about starting school or if the stress continues after the year gets underway, our Angel Kids Pediatrics team can help. Call or click online to schedule a visit at your nearest office in Jacksonville, Amelia Island or Saint Johns, Florida, today.