Social Work Tip of the Month
Here we go again!
The Beginning of a new school year!
The start of the new school year is exciting for most kids. But it also prompts a spike in anxiety: Even kids who are usually pretty easy-going get butterflies, and kids prone to anxiety get clingier and more nervous than usual. Parents feel the pain, too!
Kids who normally have a little trouble separating from caregivers will see their anxiety peak during times of stress or transition. The start of school may be especially challenging for kids who are entering a transition year such as going into kindergarten, into middle school or to a new school. It can also be stressful if there’s a change in your child’s social support system for example a good friend has moved, or has a different teacher this year.
For most kids the new-school-year worries will fade and the anxious behaviors will be transient.
Here are tips for helping nervous kids have a successful transition back to school:
- Let someone know & Arrange for a "hand off". Meaning when the drop off time arrives Have someone present to help with the process.
- Talk to your child about their feelings about school.
- Identify of name the feelings they are having about school. Meaning, "I feel statements".
- If the worries persist reach out to the teacher and social worker for support.
- GIve it time. As the saying goes transitions take time and so do adjustments.
If kids continue to have full-blown separation problems be sure to get help!
Anxiety about school sometimes takes the form of headaches and stomachaches in the morning that kids say make them too sick to go to school. If your child develops a pattern of these symptoms, it’s important to get your child checked out by a pediatrician; you don’t want to overlook a medical problem.
But if the pattern persists, going to school may be the problem.
The most important thing a parent can do when kids resist going is to continue sending them to school anyway. This may be difficult, but if we allow children to avoid situations that make them anxious, we can inadvertently reinforce that those situations are indeed dangerous or scary.
But if a child continues to complain about physical symptoms, it’s also important to investigate what might be causing anxiety.
We are here to help!
Reach out to the school. We are a team and want to make this an amazing and successful year for your child & you!