Beat the Back-to-School Jitters

The end of summer and the start of the school year can be a source of stress for many kids. Who wants to give up days of sun and sleep for early mornings and classrooms? But adults can help ease the worry.

Expert Q+A: School Anxiety

Steven Schlozman, MD, the chief of pediatric psychiatry at University of Vermont Children's Hospital has helpful information and advice for helping kids more easily transition from summer to the new school year.

What are some primary reasons for anxiety when it comes to starting school after the summer?

We ask kids to change their routines much more often than we do adults. They have to get to know new children at school, they have to think and maybe worry about new teachers, and if they’re changing schools, they might worry about what a new commute will look like. These changes can be exciting, and excitement itself can make some children anxious.

We also know that kids’ brains change profoundly as they grow. These new experiences contribute to brain development, leading to growth in emotional and cognitive development.

Most psychiatric symptoms develop during the school-age and teen years. Symptoms such as anxiety, depression, and intense irritability can be triggered by the stress of a new school year or might simply coincide with the new year.

How do you know if your child is experiencing something more than start-of-school jitters that requires professional help?

For children and teens to do well at the beginning of the school year, they need to be getting enough rest and eating well. Sleep and appetite are often the first issues to become a bit off as anxiety grows.

If your young one is having a rough time with these things, talk with your doctor about how to make the transition easier. A special series of meals in the weeks leading up to the new school year can make a huge difference, as can special movies nights before bedtimes as the summer ends.

If your child has symptoms severe enough to interrupt daily functioning, talk with a professional about useful interventions.

How can parents identify the reason for the anxiety?

Ask your children directly. Depending on a child’s personality, they might readily volunteer what troubles them. Other children might not answer so directly, but asking is still very important. Checking in helps your child to know that you’re paying attention and that you are available.

What can parents say or do to help their children cope and feel more confident in going back to school?

Ask what’s on your child’s mind. If you assume you know what the issue is, you might be wrong, and your solution may not fit the problem.

Judicious use of personal stories can be helpful, but keep in mind that this isn’t about your memories as much as it is to let your kids know that you’ve weathered these storms and turned out OK.

It also makes sense to simply validate their feelings. It’s understandable to be anxious or worried, and it’s important for your child to know that you get this.

Finally, try to visit the school a few times before the year starts. Go over the route that they’ll walk or drive, where the classrooms are, who’s in the front office, and so on. To the extent that things can be more familiar, anxiety will go down.

Are there any added complexities with back-to-school anxiety due to cell phone or social media use?

There’s ALWAYS added complexities with cellphones and social media. Normal development is characterized by changing social circles and interests and these changes are currently recorded digitally through our increasingly interconnected world. Taking your child’s phone or computer away is probably not the solution, but some limit on the time they spend with their devices can help.

What are some tips for activities to help ease kids into the school year?

If sports work for your kid, then go for it! But not all kids like sports and it almost never makes sense to force a sport on someone who isn’t interested. Sports do, however, provide a good example of what benefits kids as they ease into the year. The camaraderie and structure of any group activity provides a framework for hanging out with new people. This can happen with all sorts of activities.

What if my child feels “sick” due to anxiety, on the first day of school?

Remember, they might actually be sick! The added stress of the new year increases the likelihood that kids can get some kind of bug, so check in with your doctor.

If you are certain that it’s anxiety, this isn’t the time to force things. It’s not the end of the world if your child refuses to go on that first day. However, if a pattern develops and your child refuses to go day after day despite having no signs of illness, consult your doctor soon. Schools can put into place individualized plans for easing the transition. Most of the time children will become more interested in going back to school once they hear that other kids they know are there too. Humans are pack animals. We generally don’t like to be left out.

What advice would you give parents to help them prepare their kids to start the schoolyear being optimistic, resilient and kind?

Patience and more patience! Remember what it was like when you were a kid, and if you weren’t an anxious or worried child, you’ll recall someone who was. Tell your child that you’ve got their back, that you understand their reluctance, and that if problems arise, you will work together to fix these them.

Finally, don’t leave out the good stuff! If kids want to tell you what went well, make sure you listen and ask questions. You want to reinforce those feelings of accomplishment that come with new experiences.