Starting a new school year is a beautiful thing for children. However, if your children are anything like me, they probably feel excitement and dread, which can cause their nerves to go haywire. With that in mind, here are some suggestions for you to help your child alleviate those jitters.
Having a routine is vital for your kids. Not only do they know what to expect, but they will also feel more relaxed, and there is a far greater chance of them forgetting something. A good idea is to have a consistent play, homework, family time, meals, and rest schedule. It will help them feel like they can start the day on the right foot.
The best way to do this is to use the last month or few weeks of summer to get them on a better sleep schedule, have them do some educational activities, and start reintroducing the structure into their routine that doesn’t happen in the summer.
Let Them Talk About Their Worries
Regardless of age, all children need a safe space to discuss what’s bothering them. Let them come to you and tell you what’s bothering them. Let them share, and you’ll have a much better understanding of what they’re going through and how you can help them properly.
When it’s time for you to take the kids back to school, focus on the positive. Is there something that they are excited about? Recess, lunch, a favorite subject? Chances are that even if your child is scared of the change, they will find something that makes them excited and willing to try something new. It could be something simple, such as a new passion project or something they already love doing.
Encourage Your Child To Be Healthy
Believe it or not, the food your child eats may be causing additional anxiety. By encouraging healthy habits (eating better and exercising), you’re helping them lower their stress, which helps with the first day of school and the school year! Sleeping at night is another great way to decrease anxiety. Be sure they’re not reading in the dark!
Not knowing what’s going to happen can be frightening. But having a conversation with your kids about what to expect is a great way to calm them down. As we mentioned above, letting them talk their worries out is essential, but it’s also vital for you to tell them what they will be facing. For instance, high school is nerve-racking for teens. They worry about whether they’ll fit in, whether they will make friends, whether the classes are too hard, etc. But talking to them will alleviate their fears.
A family member of mine was terrified about starting school, but once I told her that she would get more freedom and pick classes she wanted to take (high school), she was eager to go. We also told her what the school looked like, how to find her classes, and how to avoid peer pressure. Then we dove further into what she had to look forward to and what it was really like attending high school. Talking it out with kids can genuinely make all the difference.
While we are staying positive, we must admit things happen. If your child is worried about getting lost or stuff like that, devise a plan to let them know how to feel more confident. Let them know that they can ask teachers for help or see if you can take them to the school a day early so they can get situated better (most schools have an orientation for this, but if yours doesn’t, which is becoming more commonplace, you can ask them if they’ll let you do this).
If your child needs additional help with their anxiety, you can write a note to their teacher or guidance counselor so that they will be prepared. Most people fear reaching out to the teachers, but most say that they appreciate it so that they can help your child have a better learning experience.
Everything Will Be Alright
While your child may be scared or nervous, let them know that everything will be alright and reassure them that while being afraid happens, it doesn’t have to hold them back from meeting new friends or having fun. Working through their normal fear may take a bit, but these tips will help them be excited about school and see it as something to run toward, not away from.
Jenifer Dale is a writer that has a passion for reading and helping others. When she is not writing, she loves cooking, crocheting, and spending time with her family.