Strategies to Ease Anxiety for the New School Year

Are you a worrier?

Do new situations keep you up at night as your brain ponders every possible thing that could happen? 

Do you get the feeling of a pit in the bottom of your stomach when you think about doing something for the first time?

Do your palms get sweaty?  Do you cry? Get angry? Restless? Increased heart rate? Trouble concentrating?  Feeling weak or tired?

All of those are symptoms of anxiety. 

If we feel and experience all of those symptoms as an adult, think about how kids might feel. 

As we approach the upcoming school year, there WILL be kids that are experiencing anxiety.  I know--I have one of them.

The week leading up to kindergarten was rough.  My son cried EVERY morning. He got angry at night. He just wasn't himself.  

So, what can we do to help ease the anxiety and fears of  our students?  The ideas listed below are from personal experience.  Keep in mind I am not a licensed counselor, but they did help my child!

1. Communicate with the teacher

One of the first steps should always be communicating with your child's teacher.  It is highly likely they have experienced similar situations with students in the past, and will be able to provide some strategies to help you and your child get through the first of the year. 

Providing your child's teacher with extra insight will also help the teacher approach your child and the situation differently.  The more teachers know about their students....the better! 

2. Take a picture

Let you child take a picture of the family to school.  Of course it is always a good idea to check with the teacher and see if this is okay.  My son's teacher lets him keep an image in his desk, and he can pull it out when he is feeling sad or worried. 

3. Validate feelings 

When you validate your child's emotions, you can help your child feel seen, understood and valued. This helps your child identify their emotions and how to work through them.  

Say things like:

• I can see that you are (worried, upset, sad, frightened, scared.)
• I can see that going to school is hard for you.
• Yes, I can see how going to school might make you feel (worried, upset, sad, scared.)
• It makes sense that you would be (scared, upset, worried, etc.) about going to school.
• I can see you are feeling overwhelmed.  Let me help you with that.  Can we chat? 
• Your suffering is my suffering (because I love you).

4. Model how to deal with emotions in a healthy way

Kids learn how to manage their emotions by repeating strategies they see the adults in their life use. To raise an emotionally healthy child, adults must model how to deal with emotions in a healthy way.  

If you are feeling a certain way, let your child know and then explain what you are going to do about it.

"I am feeling so sad about you going to school because I won't be able to be with you all day. Mommy is going to carry a picture of you in her pocket and pull it out when she is feeling sad and think about all the fun we will have when we get back together!"

Naming the emotion and modeling a healthy outlet is a wonderful teaching tool for your child to see. 

5. Read books 

Check out the list of books you can read with your child to ease those first day jitters! 

My personal favorite is the kissing hand because it gives you and your child a strategy.  Kiss you child's hand before they depart from you and when they feel sad, they can smoosh their little palm on their face and feel your love. 

6. Create a social story

A social story is a simple story that describes a social story or upcoming situation  and the appropriate way to act in that situation.  This walks your anxious child through their routine, and what they can expect for their day.  It eases their brain and makes their day predictable. 

Check out some already made social stories by visiting Autism Little Learners.  She has a wonderful library of free social stories for school!

If you are looking for more tips on how to ease anxiety in your students or your child, visit the Child Mind Institute  or Understood.  Both of those websites have wonderful resources and tips!