How to Support Children Returning to School

How can we support our children when they return to school?

Children’s return to school after the summer holiday can bring mixed emotions for both children and parents. On the one hand, the start of the school year is an enjoyable time for most children, with new teachers, classmates, and experiences. On the other, a new routine that limits leisure and relaxation, along with thoughts of schoolwork after a long break, may cause some anxiety in children. However, this anxiety is a normal part of back-to-school stress and often gradually subsides within a few days or weeks.

Sometimes there are mild, temporary signs of anxiety, such as taking a long time to choose clothes, being quieter than usual, mild stomach pain, and difficulty sleeping, or reduced appetite. Some children, however, may experience anxiety so severe that they refuse to return to school. A child’s anxiety about returning to school becomes problematic if they experience:

• Episodes of anger or crying when separating from parents or caregivers to go to school.
• Difficulty communicating with teachers and classmates.
• Avoiding ordinary activities at school.
• Symptoms such as stomach pain, fatigue, and headaches that are associated with the time for going to school.
• Severe difficulty sleeping and adjusting to the daily rhythm of the school schedule.

What are the main causes of children’s anxiety about school?

• What worries children varies by age. Children in kindergarten and first grade may find it difficult to separate from a parent.
• Primary school children may worry about being harmed and about practical logistics, such as, “What if I cannot find the bathroom?” or “What if I leave school and my mother or father is not waiting for me?”
• Moving to a new school adds further concerns: “What if I cannot find my classrooms?” or “What if I do not have any friends in my class?”
• Adolescents are more likely to worry about academic performance, increased schoolwork, relationships with peers, and the fear of being bullied.

Tips for easing your child’s anxiety before returning to school:

• Simply spending time with an anxious child can be comforting and calming, and gives them an opportunity to talk if they want to. If your child seems anxious, ask, “What is bothering you?”
• Children sometimes hear inaccurate or exaggerated information from others. For example, “All fifth-grade teachers are mean!” You may be able to offer reassurance or correct a misunderstanding to ease some of their fears.
• Show understanding of the child’s anxiety by acknowledging that returning to school, like any new activity, requires a short adjustment period. The beginning may be difficult, but it soon becomes familiar and enjoyable.
• Several days before school begins, start preparing children for the new term by adjusting their sleep schedule to match the school timetable. It is essential that children get enough sleep, because insufficient sleep doubles their feelings of anxiety and stress. For example, children aged 6–12 need between 9 and 12 hours of sleep, while adolescents need between 8 and 10 hours. Losing one hour of sleep a night reduces a school student’s attention and concentration by one third.
• Make school preparations enjoyable, such as choosing a suitable school uniform and favorite stationery.
• Try to meet and build social connections with people at the school, such as neighbors’ or friends’ children. Research shows that having a familiar companion while children transition to school can improve their academic and emotional adjustment.
• Offer praise, a reward, or an enjoyable activity that the child can earn by facing their fears and attending school despite their anxiety.
• Agree with the child on a balanced weekly schedule that includes completing schoolwork while allowing time for play and social interaction outside school, with set hours for gaming and online communication.
• It is important to seek help from school professionals, including teachers and counselors, to discuss any challenges the child faces and how everyone can work together to overcome them in the child’s best interests.

When should we consult a mental health professional about a child’s anxiety over returning to school?

If the child’s signs of distress continue for more than a month after returning to school, if the symptoms worsen rapidly, or if the child completely refuses to attend, a comprehensive medical and psychological assessment is recommended.

Finally, remember that maintaining communication with your child and providing emotional support play an important role in helping them adjust to new circumstances and overcome the anxiety they may experience when returning to school and throughout the school year. We wish all our children a successful school year.