The symptoms begin after the last beach day. Your child complains of stomachaches, nausea, or headaches. She wakes up several times a night, sometimes with nightmares, and acts cranky during the day. She may be clinging and nervous, frequently seeking reassurance and asking a lot of questions about clothing choices and the day-to-day changes to come.
With the new academic year looming, the diagnosis is clear: Your child is suffering a common case of back-to-school anxiety. Check out these three tips to help make your child’s transition an easier one.
Knowledge Is Power
Uncertainty can be a powerful driver of anxiety in both children and adults. A child who is about to face a new place, a new authority figure, and a whole crowd of new faces is sure to feel the strain. Exposing her to some of those factors before the big day may alleviate at least a portion of the uncertainty. In the weeks before, consider taking the time to:
– Tour the school building to familiarize your child with the location of the classroom, bathrooms, lockers, and other facilities
– Make an appointment to meet her teacher during the week before opening day
– Set up a casual playdate at a park with other children who’ll be in her class so they can get to know each other ahead of time
Practice Makes Perfect
As a parent, you know that your child will be fine once he meets new friends and adjusts to the new routine. Teachers are trained to recognize anxiety and ease the transition. Though you may be tempted to brush off their fears, your children don’t have the benefit of your experience. Make sure to listen to the concerns they are articulating and try to root out the ones they may not be able to fully explain. If you can identify the major cause of anxiety, you may be able to offer one of these methods to alleviate it:
– If your child is concerned about how to make friends, role-play what he might say to someone sitting next to him in class
– If your child is concerned about bullies, role-play what he should do if he feels attacked or afraid
– If your child is concerned about forgetting things or being late, practice the late-night pre-packing and early-morning routine for a couple of days
– If your child is concerned about having a bathroom accident, buy back-to-school clothing that is easy-on, easy-off so he doesn’t have to fiddle with buttons, zippers, or belts
The Power Of Positive Thinking
Parents get back-to-school anxiety, too. You want your child to have a positive experience, but you know that the journey may not be a smooth one. Help your child focus on the perks, rather than the perils, and he may approach this new situation with a stronger, more positive mindset.
– Make An Outing Out Of Back-To-School Shopping. If your child has siblings, consider making his supply shopping a one-on-one experience complete with lunch at his favorite restaurant. Never underestimate the thrill of superhero folders, a fresh box of crayons, and dedicated time with a parent.
– Make An Outing Out Of Back-To-School Clothing Shopping. If your child’s new school doesn’t require uniforms, give your child some leeway when it comes to clothing choices (within limits, of course). If he’s comfortable and confident in his new clothes, he’ll be more comfortable and confident overall.
– Offer Up Some Control To Your Child. Let her choose her first-day outfit, her first-day lunch, and the comfort item she’d like to bring. These small concessions allow her to hold onto the happy familiar in the midst of the daunting unfamiliar.
Learning how to handle new situations is a life skill we all must master. Facing the first day of preschool or kindergarten may be your child’s first exposure to this kind of anxiety. By demonstrating healthy coping methods now, you’ll set her up for a lifetime of success.
