The start of school can make even a good student anxious, especially if the child will be attending a new school for the first time.
Here are a few tips that can make the transition easier:
- For young children, read books like “Froggy Goes to School”
- Ask the teacher if the child can help set up the classroom
- Visit the school to look around ahead of time, find classrooms and locker
- If your child will be riding the bus, find out if the district offers a test run where you can meet the bus and driver at your stop
- If possible, pinpoint what is bothering your child and discuss ways to help: navigating the lunch room, not knowing any classmates, walking to school, etc.
- Plan one more favorite activity before school starts to give your child something to look forward to in late summer
- Start working on the school sleep routine, because everything is easier with enough sleep!
A little back-to-school anxiety is normal for a child of any age, but if you see your child worrying so much about school that it interferes with sleep or other activities, contact your child’s doctor.