Tips to Get Your Child Back-To-School Ready
As summer break draws to an end, the excitement of a new school year can sometimes be accompanied by feelings of anxiety for children. School anxiety and school refusal are common issues children face this time of year. Such behavior may become a routine problem in a small percentage of students. Some children with school refusal may have an earlier history of separation anxiety, social anxiety, or depression.
Some Signs of Separation Anxiety and School Refusal Include
Below is a list of some signs of separation anxiety and school refusal that indicate your child might need some help getting back-to-school ready.
A child who cries or protests every morning before school
Excessive reluctance to be alone at any time
Repeated complaints of physical symptoms whenever the child is about to leave a significant parental figure
Excessive worry about losing a parent; excessive worry that a parent might be harmed
Persistent refusal to go to sleep without a parent or other caretaker present
An adolescent who often misses the bus on purpose
A child who regularly develops some type of physical symptom when it is time to go to school
Tips to Help Your Child with School Anxiety
Let’s dive into how you, as a parent or guardian, can effectively help your child overcome these challenges and ensure a smooth return to the classroom.
Open Communication
School anxiety is a common issue that can arise due to a variety of factors, such as academic pressures, social interactions and performance expectations. Addressing school anxiety involves creating a safe space for children to express their concerns and fears. Maintaining open and honest conversations with your child about their worries and concerns can go a long way in alleviating anxiety. Do your best to actively listen and validate your child’s emotions, this will in turn create an environment where your child feels comfortable discussing their fears.
Role Play and Problem-Solve
Once you have created a safe space for your child to share their fears and worries about school, engage in role-playing scenarios that mirror those anxiety-provoking situations your child might face at school. Together, brainstorm potential solutions and strategies for managing those situations. This approach will help children feel more prepared and in control.
Mindfulness and Relaxation
Simple and easy mindfulness and relaxation exercises can significantly reduce anxiety symptoms in children. Practicing techniques such as deep breathing, guided imagery, mindful meditation, or progressive muscle relaxation with your child can help them manage anxiety as it arises. These are also great tools your child can use on their own while at school if feeling anxious. Check out this helpful article from our Utah therapy clinic that teaches a quick 5-minute mindfulness exercise you can teach your child (it will help you, too!) To learn more about guided imagery, mindful meditations, and progressive muscle relaxation practices you can visit The Child Mind Institute.
How to Deal with School Refusal
You are not alone if your child struggles with school refusal. Here are a few steps to help you navigate the back-to-school season with your child.
Establish a Routine
Collaboratively create a daily schedule that includes both school-related activities and enjoyable downtime. Having a clear routine can provide a sense of structure and predictability, which can reduce anxiety and make school attendance more manageable. When a child knows to look forward to one on one time with a parent after school it may motivate them to stay at school. Stick to the routine and firmly get your child to school regularly and on time. Not prolonging the goodbyes can help as well. Sometimes it works best if someone else can take the child to school after the parent or caregiver says goodbye at home.
Gradual Exposure
If your child is seriously struggling with going to school and there is significant anxiety, gradual exposure to school may help. Over time, you can add more of the following steps until your child is able to attend a full day of school.
Take your child to the school, drive by, or park outside.
Walk to the door and walk through the hallways of the school.
Go to class and spend increasing time at school, each time letting your child know what time you will be there to pick them up. BE THERE ON TIME!
The Buddy System
In some schools, the buddy system is used to help kids with a number of struggles. If your child is struggling with school refusal, it could be helpful to talk to their teacher about getting a buddy system set up for one or two activities at school. If your child can be placed with a buddy for reading, math, music, or any other activity that the teacher feels would work best, your child and their buddy will have a better opportunity to develop a friendship over time. This interaction will help both students improve in the subject they are helping each other with, have better social interaction at school, and feel a stronger desire to attend school each day.
Collaborate with Teachers
If you sense your child is really going to struggle to make the back-to-school transition let the school know and discuss your child’s anxiety with the administration or teachers. The school can’t help with an issue if they aren’t aware of it first. Teachers can also provide valuable insights and implement classroom strategies to support your child.
Even More Back-To-School Resources
As a parent or guardian, your support and understanding play a pivotal role in helping your child transition back to school successfully. Using the above strategies you can help empower your child to overcome school refusal and build a positive school experience. However, it is important to recognize that some children may require more specialized support than what can be provided at home.
If your child’s school anxiety or school refusal persists despite your best efforts, or you just want some extra support, Wasatch Family Therapy has clinicians available to help. You can contact Wasatch Family Therapy to schedule an appointment with one of our child and family therapists in Utah or Arizona by calling 801.944.4555 or clicking this link.
