Belky Perez Schwartz is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Florida and on Breakthrough.com. Read more about Belky Perez Schwartz on her website.

Getting ready for the new school year can cause some stress.  Taking steps to decrease this anxiety for children can really make the process go smoothly.

Many of us tend to leave things for the last minute. This makes us feel nervous about the tasks that need to get done – the same holds true for children.  Being able to talk about these stresses can help.  Allow children to vent whenever they show signs of anxiety.

What are some signs to look for?

Some of the following characteristics may denote anxiety in children:

  • Feeling edgy
  • Nervousness
  • Excessive worrying
  • Having a tough time concentrating
  • Experiencing difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
  • Low self-esteem
  • Fear of embarrassment

Find more information on symptoms and related syndrome descriptions visit Keep Kids Healthy.com and the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry.

What are some ways parents can help? Here are a few suggestions:

Give your child some time to talk about their worries.
They can tell when the school year is approaching – the summer is coming to a close and parents start to talk about the preparation that needs to be completed.   They may be worried about having a new teacher or wondering if they will see old friends.  Being able to talk to someone will let them vent any worries or concerns they might have.

Avoid Judging Your Child
Each person will display different behaviors when they are nervous about something. Try to avoid assuming that acting out behaviors are problem behaviors. Perhaps your child is trying to ask for help and they do not know how to verbalize it.  Be open to supporting your child during this time and they may come to you for help.

Include Some Relaxation Time
Be sure to have some time for both you and your child to relax. Having that time will help clear your thoughts.  Before getting back into the new year, see if you can spend the day together, doing something you enjoy.  Giving your relationship this extra boost while relaxing may also help your child feel more at ease as the new year approaches.

For more ways to help your child cope with ‘back to school’ anxiety, see Family Education.

How do you plan to help your child feel at ease as the new school year begins?