The First Day of School Causes Anxiety, Stress in Children

The first day of school is nearly here and for millions of children that means one thing: anxiety. What will I wear? Will I be able to find my classes? Will my classes be hard? Who will I sit with at lunch? The list of worries can seem endless. As a parent, you may feel overwhelmed and underprepared for this level of anxiety but there are things you can do to help your child relieve their first day jitters.

Children have legitimate concerns and worries about their first day back. The best place to start is simply having a conversation with them. Ask them what exactly is causing their worry.  And don’t worry about not having all the answers. A lot of times, children feel better just talking about their worries and fears and are just looking for someone who understands what they’re going through. Someone who “gets it.”

Another tactic you can try is a dry run. Anxiety stems from fear of the unknown which causes kids to imagine all kinds of scary scenarios that might not be grounded in reality. Giving children a real sense of what their first day will be like can help allay their fears.  Have them get ready for school as if it’s their first day and then drive them to school. See if you can walk around the school; see where the classrooms, cafeteria and lockers are located. A dry run can help boost children’s confidence by making them more familiar with their new situation.

Make sure you-as the parent-remain relaxed. Children are very sensitive to their parents’ emotional state. So if you’re feeling anxious, chances are it will worsen your child’s anxiety. Take a few deep breaths whenever you start to feel overwhelmed. Use a white board or spreadsheet to make a schedule of your child’s classes, activities and practices. If you’re organized, collected and calm, it will rub off on your child and perhaps relieve some of their anxiety as well.

If your child’s anxiety begins to affect their everyday life, remember, it’s never too early to teach them coping skills. Childhood anxiety is treatable so there’s no reason your son or daughter should continue to suffer.

Chris Nicoletti is writer and team member at www.GoZen.com, an organization dedicated to the relief of childhood anxiety.