It’s back to school
Back to school is here. It can be an uncertain time for young ones to leave their parents behind. Here are some tips for parents to alleviate back-to-school anxieties.
Every child is different in their own unique way and because of this they handle various situations differently, especially heading back to the classroom. Some children are social and adapt to situations with ease, while others might have social anxieties that are easily triggered. Social anxieties can present themselves in children who are especially entering a new classroom for the first time. This is important, as The Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA) reports that five percent of school-age children experience separation and performance anxiety, especially following the pandemic.
For preschoolers, going to school can be a terrifying time, especially for those who have secure attachments to parents and caregivers. They might try to seek assurance by begging you to stay with them, or have a tantrum, or say they feel ill, or they might downright refuse to enter the classroom. As parents, it can be difficult to understand what your child might be going through.
Here’s how you can help:
As parents, you can start off by simply talking to them. Tell them how excited you are that they are about to start their school education. You might even want to role-play school at home with them to alleviate some of the anxious expectations of school routines, you can even incorporate disciplines and manners.
Give your child a small reminder of home that they can carry with them.
Offer positive reinforcement for every day that they show independence. At home, you can try letting them earn stickers or points for going to school.
Be sure to stay in contact with teachers about your children’s performance.
Learn the exercise of breathing in a regulated way. This is easy and involves finding a quiet place to sit and putting one hand over your heart and one over your belly. Next, you will breathe in through your nose for four seconds, pause your breath for six seconds, and then breathe out through your mouth for eight seconds. Repeat this sequence 10 times to experience a sense of relaxation.
Students can also face additional difficulties as they progress through elementary school. They are faced with increased pressure, but many students do not learn the same way and have many different learning styles. It can look like your child is uncooperative, ill-tempered, or undisciplined, but they can actually just be experiencing difficulties that are worth exploring.
The most important thing parents can do is stay involved. In younger children, make yourself aware of how and why your child exhibits anxious behaviors. It is just as important to also set age-appropriate boundaries, and be firm in your stance about not letting the younger children stay home if they resist school.
If you or anyone you know needs assistance with helping their children reduce levels of anxiety about school attendance and or performance, please call (239)495-7722, we might be able to help!
Source: https://www.thejournalnj.com/articles/tips-for-parents-to-help-little-ones-alleviate-back-to-school-fears/