Helping to Ease Back-to-School Anxiety

Summer will be over before we know it. That means it’s time for the kids to head back to the classroom. For some children, this can cause unnecessary stress and anxiety. As parents, you can help your child reduce or eliminate his fears and make back to school time an occasion he’ll actually look forward to. Here are a few simple ways to take the anxiety out of the back to school process. Your child will feel confident with some help from you.

Practice Positive Affirmations

When kids feel good about themselves, their confidence will get stronger and stronger. You can help your child develop high self-esteem and a positive self-image by engaging in self-affirmations. Each day, sit with your child or have him look at himself in the mirror and ask him to say something he likes about himself or something he’s good at. It could be that he likes his strong muscles, or he is nice to his sister, or he’s good at drawing. Even when kids feel insecure, they know they possess some positive traits and abilities. It’s also important that your child sees that you have high self-worth too. It will benefit you both to practice this affirmation discussion each day. When your child feels like he’s a good person with fine qualities, he will be less worried about starting school and more focused on the great student he knows he can be.

Connect with Friends Before School Starts

Some kids worry about making friends or being part of a group before school starts. A great way to ensure your child isn’t left out or worried about connecting with his peers at the start of a new school year is to set up play dates before school begins. Suggest meeting with other parents and kids in his grade at a picnic or for a fun day at the park. Other kids want to make friends too and it will give you a chance to meet parents in your community as well. The kids will be able to meet without the stresses of school on their minds. Even if your child only makes one friend, he will feel like someone has his back once the school season starts.

Meet the Teacher

Many teachers encourage parents and their new students to meet them before school begins. Your child may be interested to meet his new teacher so he or she can get to know him individually. Your child can ask questions about the plans for the school year and let the teacher know about any of his fears or anxieties. Your child will not have to worry about the first day as much once he’s comfortable around his new teacher. You will be happy to have met the teacher beforehand as well to discuss any concerns you may have regarding your child or the curriculum.

How have you helped ease your child’s back to school worries? For more info like this, please visit All My Children Daycare.

By: Melissa A. Kay