A Survival Guide for Back to School Anxiety

(KNSI) — School bells will soon ring, but stomachs may be aching as back-to-school anxiety creeps in ahead of the first day of class.

Child psychologist Dr. Vanessa Jensen says parents can help ease first day jitters by changing the approach. “You want to start with ‘I’m so excited about your going into fourth grade this year’ and see what they say. I find I statements work better than asking questions. When you say ‘Are you worried about this year?’ you’re kind of setting them up.”

She says a parent should never downplay a child’s worries. “You don’t want to minimize the worries. You never want to say, ‘you have nothing to worry about.’ If they’re worried, they’re worried, but to help them understand, we’ll get through it.”

Asking them directly what they’re the most worried about and then walking them through it can help them rehearse what to do so they can react appropriately if needed.

According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, making the change a bit easier can also smooth things over. Prepare for what you can because anxiety thrives in uncertainty. Getting into the morning and bedtime routine now can create a sense of security so the child knows what to expect. Attend open houses if possible so the student can meet their teacher, see their classroom and find their locker. If they do well, plan a reward trip after the first week of school so they have something positive to look forward to.

However, if a student regularly makes excuses for not going to school, it’s important to speak to a teacher, guidance counselor or mental health professional to address any potential underlying issues.

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