Is your child feeling anxious about going back to school?
With the imminent return to school, children are experiencing a mix of emotions. In the days leading up to the start of the school year, they show anticipatory excitement about reuniting with their classmates, with whom they may not have been in contact during the summer. They express nervousness about starting a new school year or academic cycle and may even have difficulty falling asleep the night before, given the radical change in their routines. All of this is perfectly normal and healthy.
Families should be vigilant, however, if they detect a higher-than-expected level of anxiety about the return to school. This anxiety can have various origins related to worries about academic performance, socialization with other children, changes of school, or even previous episodes of bullying.
Signs of anxiety in children:
- He appears fearful, timid and shy, nervous, apprehensive, complaining, stressed, worried, frustrated, distracted and with difficulty concentrating.
- He appears restless, clinging to the adult, dependent, reserved, reluctant to act, avoidant, indecisive, or unwilling to do anything.
- You feel your heart is beating very fast, you have difficulty breathing, sweating, stiffness, headache, dizziness.
These occasional reactions are normal and don't significantly impact the child's life. However, when these episodes become frequent, persist over time, and interfere with the child's daily life, it's important to consult a healthcare professional to prevent the development of an anxiety disorder.
Anxiety in childhood
If our son or daughter shows symptoms of anxiety, it is important not to trivialize their emotions because this will make them feel guilty.
Things you can do to help your son or daughter manage back-to-school anxiety:
- Make sure she has a healthy and balanced diet.
- Make sure they get restful sleep, with the necessary hours according to their age.
- Encourage him to do physical exercise.
- Help him organize his tasks and activities well, leaving time every day for enjoyable activities.
- Support him in facing and trying to resolve problems as soon as possible. Don't put them off.
- Listen to him or her and be patient. Talk to him or her regularly, paying attention and not being critical, as this may increase the pressure he or she feels.
- Have realistic expectations of them: anxious children try to please adults and be perfect if that is what is expected of them.
- Praise and support their efforts: it's positive to reinforce success as long as unrealistic expectations aren't created.
- Help them with their schoolwork if you see that there's an assignment they're worried about. This will boost their confidence and reduce their discomfort.
- Teach him strategies to help him deal with anxiety: such as organizing his time, his materials, relaxing under stressful conditions, etc.
