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5 Tips to Ease Back-to-School Anxiety

8/15/2018

1 Comment

 
There are several easy ways to tell when a child’s anxiety is cause for concern, say psychology experts from the Johns Hopkins Children’s Center.
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The transition back to class as summer ends can be a stressful time for children and parents alike. Some anxiety is a normal response, but parents should know the difference between normal back-to-school jitters and anxiety that warrants clinical attention.
There are several easy ways to tell when a child’s anxiety is cause for concern, say psychology experts from the Johns Hopkins Children’s Center.
Anxiety symptoms that persist beyond the first few weeks of school and that seem excessive may require consultation with an expert, says Johns Hopkins Children’s Center psychologist Courtney Keeton, who specializes in the treatment of childhood anxiety and selective mutism.
Many children, for example, display some difficulty separating from parents to attend school, however tantrums when separating, problems sleeping alone or refusal to attend activities without parents may suggest a problem requiring intervention.
Likewise, some shyness or worry about schedules, schoolwork, or friends is natural during the back-to-school transition, but ongoing withdrawal or worries may signal a problem.
“If a child’s anxiety is causing a great deal of distress in her or his daily life, or if getting along with family members or friends becomes difficult, normal activities in and outside of school are avoided, or there are physical symptoms like stomachaches or fatigue, these ‘red flags’ indicate that the child’s anxiety should be evaluated by a child psychologist or psychiatrist,” says Keeton.
However, it is normal for nearly all children to experience mild back-to-school jitters that gradually diminish over a few weeks.
Tips to Ease Anxiety
  • A week or two before school, start preparing children for the upcoming transition by getting back to school year routines, such as a realistic bedtime and selecting tomorrow’s clothes.
  • Arrange play dates with one or more familiar peers before school starts. Research shows that the presence of a familiar peer during school transitions can improve children’s academic and emotional adjustment.
  • Visit the school before the school year begins, rehearse the drop off and spend time on the playground or inside the classroom if the building is open. Have the child practice walking into class while the parent waits outside or down the hall.
  • Come up with a prize or a rewarding activity that the child could earn for separating from mom or dad to attend school.
  • Validate the child’s worry by acknowledging that, like any new activity, starting school can be hard but soon becomes easy and fun.

If you are in need of mental health support stop by the Community Center, we are located at 38 Park Way in Happy Camp. We are open Tuesday-Thursday from 9am-4pm, closed for lunch from 12pm-1pm, and Friday 10am-1pm. The Community Center contracts with Siskiyou County Behavioral Health and we can refer you to their services.
 
For the 24 Hour Mental Health Crisis Line/ Access Line, Toll Free: 1-800-842-8979
 
For this Article and more information visit: ​www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/articles-and-answers/wellbeing/5-tips-to-ease-back-to-school-anxiety
1 Comment
grademiners review link
10/14/2018 06:57:14 pm

I didn't know kids could also get anxious about going back to school. At first I don't really believe it but then I remembered I was heavily bullied as a young kid and this maybe the reason why my son si homeschooled. I don't want him to experience the same thing. But still I think most kids I know are excited to go to school. Before a kid begins to feel that way, we need to observe everything that is happening in the school. I know parents are not really allowed to enter school premises but I am sure there are ways to find out if the school is not doing it's best to prevent bullying.

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