How to Know Signs of Back-To-School Anxiety in Your Kids

Entry #1400, July 21, 2012

It’s normal for kids to feel a certain level of anxiety when going back to school especially after a long summer break. Coupled with their discomforts are possibly a new environment, social groups, new teacher, and new expectations can make kids more nervous than excited to go back to school.

Get your kids excited for going back to school

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One of the common indicators that your kids are getting anxious is when they have trouble sleeping as summer is almost over. There are also cases when kids lose their appetite and have unpredictable mood swings.

In order to ease the anxiety of your kids, here are some useful tips for parents:

Show your enthusiasm

As parents, you have to show a feeling of excitement and enthusiasm for your children. Let them feel that you also have the eagerness and passion about going to school. You may tell some stories about your school experiences while you were at their age. Of course, choose those happy and memorable ones. 🙂 You can share about how you meet your best friend on the first day of school or inspiring stories that they can look forward to.

Create a routine

Doing educational activities at home before the start of the school year definitely help your kids from feelings of anxiety. You may provide them reading and writing activities that are fun. But be careful not to provide them too much as this may cause boredom. You may creatively introduce them as a play without much pressure on their part. You may start by playing educational games like scrabble, chess, word factory and other learning activities.

Emphasize the fun they will have at school

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Take a tour of the school with your kids

Bringing your kids to school before classes start can be very effective. This will help them familiarize the place or get to know more about their school. You may bring them with you during enrollment. You may tour around the campus and get inside the classrooms for sight-seeing.  You may ask some school personnel like teachers or staff about the incoming school year and let your kids see this happening. Introduce these people to your kids so they will have great impressions about the school.

Always remember to let your kids feel your enthusiasm about school. Your kids will definitely feel it and be motivated about the idea of learning in school. Back to school time should be enjoyable and a childhood memory they enjoy for years into the future.

For more back to school ideas on Stagetecture, click here.