Is your child anxious about starting school? Here’s how to help

Anxiety is extremely common in children. During the pandemic, researchers observed that up to 7% of children were diagnosed with an anxiety disorder that interfered with their daily functioning.

In addition, 20% tended to experience anxiety that did not reach the level of a clinical disorder.

Anxiety will resurface for many children this fall and can be mixed with other feelings, such as excitement and shyness. That’s why professors Elizabeth Englander and Katharine Covino-Putas have outlined steps parents can take to reduce their children’s back-to-school anxiety and encourage a better start to the new semester.

Know the common symptoms of anxiety

Ask children how they feel when they return to school and watch for headaches, stomach aches, trouble sleeping, constant what-if questions, anger, excessive worry, and trouble focusing. Any of these behaviors can indicate anxiety.

Encourage activities that reduce anxiety

Playing outside, playing with friends, or just hanging out can be helpful tools to reduce negative feelings. Outside, people often feel more relaxed. Playing in an unstructured way—that is, without someone else telling them what or how to play—allows children to work through their feelings and reduce anxiety.
Limit children’s screen time

There is a substantial body of evidence showing a link between excessive use of digital devices and anxiety. Therefore, excessive use of the device may contribute to increased anxiety levels in children.

Focus on family activities

In times of increased stress and uncertainty, spending time with family can act as an antidote. Go for a walk or walk together, eat dinner together or play board games.

Accept the distraction

Distraction is not a cure for anxiety, but it can reduce its intensity and help children think more clearly about the source of their worries. When children are feeling very anxious, it’s okay to talk to them about how watching TV or reading a fun book can help them feel calmer.

Seek professional help when needed

If the anxiety is interfering with your child’s sleeping, eating, socializing, or going to school and it lasts more than a few days, it’s a good idea to call your pediatrician or family doctor and tell them what’s going on. Medical professionals who work with children know how to provide the child with the help they need.