As a parent, you want your child to enjoy their school experience. However, for many children aged 5-10, school can be a source of anxiety. Whether it’s separation anxiety, fear of academic challenges, or social worries, school-related anxiety is common. The good news is that with understanding and the right strategies, you can help your child manage these fears effectively.
If you’ve noticed your child seems more worried or fearful than usual, you’re not alone. Anxiety is one of the most common mental health concerns in children aged 5-10.
We’re sharing five practical tips to help your child cope with school anxiety. Let’s dive in!
Tip 1: Recognize the Signs of School Anxiety
The first step in helping your child with school-related anxiety is identifying the signs. School anxiety can manifest in various ways, and these signs might not always be obvious. By learning to recognize these indicators, you can address your child’s concerns early and provide timely support.
Here are some common signs of school anxiety to watch for:
• Physical symptoms
Keep an eye on your child if they are consistently complaining of stomach aches, headaches, or feeling sick before school. This could indicate worry or anxiety around going to and being at school.
• Noticeable changes in behavior
If you are seeing an increase in clinginess, tantrums or refusal to go to school, this may indicate some more persistent worry happening.
• Emotional signs
If you child is showing excessive and distracting worry about tests, friendships, or teacher interactions there may be something more than normal nerves going on at school.
• Sleep issues
Trouble falling asleep on school nights or nightmares about school. It’s very normal for kids to experience occasional school anxiety, but it becomes a concern when it’s persistent and interferes with daily life.
Tip 2: Create Open Dialogue About School
Communication is key when addressing and understanding school anxiety.
By having open and supportive conversations about school, you create a safe space for your child to express their worries and excitement. This not only helps you understand their experiences and feelings better but also shows your child that their feelings are valid and that you’re there to support them.
Let’s look at some effective ways to encourage these important discussions:
• Set aside time each day to talk about school
Even if it’s a simple check in, your child will know that they have the space and opportunity to talk if they need to.
• Ask specific, open-ended questions
Keep conversation simple but focused by asking questions like “What was the best part of your day?” or “What was challenging today?”
• Validate their feelings
Their worries are very real to them so it’s important that as parents we listen and acknowledge what they are feeling without dismissing the concerns.
• Share your own school experiences – positive or negative
It’s helpful to share your own school stories, good or bad, so your child can see that they are not alone in their experiences and, maybe, their worries.
Tip 3: Establish Consistent School Routines
Structure and predictability are important parts of managing school anxiety.
By establishing consistent routines around school activities, you provide your child with a sense of control and familiarity in their daily life. This can significantly reduce stress and uncertainty, making the school experience feel more manageable.
Let’s look at some ways to create helpful routines:
• Create a visual schedule
For many kids, having a regular and predictable schedule is very helpful in managing anxiety so consider creating a visual schedule for school days. Add special events in advance so your child can know what to expect that day or week.
• Prep the night before
Make it a regular practice to prep all school items the night before. Pack backpacks, choose outfits and even pack lunches so busy school mornings can move smoothly. This will help alleviate worry around not having what they need for the day or being late to school.
• Maintain consistent bedtimes and wake-up times
Healthy sleep habits are very important when managing anxiety so create and maintain consistent bedtimes and wake-up times for your child.
• Plan a special after-school ritual they look forward to
Does your child have a favorite snack, show or activity? As part of their schedule, create a simple after school ritual that they can look forward to throughout their day.
Tip 4: Teach School-Specific Coping Strategies
Helping your child develop practical coping strategies that focus on school situations can significantly boost their confidence and ability to manage anxiety throughout the day.
These tools give your child a sense of control and empower them to face challenging moments at school. Here are a few effective strategies:
• Practice deep breathing exercises
Teach and model deep breathing exercises that your child can use when moments of anxiety hit during their school day.
• Role-play social scenarios
Come up with some common real life scenarios that your child may encounter in their day and take turns playing them out. Allow your child to practice what they might do, say or how they can react when these situations arise.
• Teach positive self-talk for school anxiety
Sometimes a few positive affirmations or a personal mantra can help your child get out of their own head and better manage their worry. Spend some time coming up with short, simple statements they can use during the day.
• Create a ‘worry box’
Create a place where your child can write down their worries – maybe each morning or at night before they go to bed – and leave them behind. This symbolic “putting away” of worries can help take some mental load off of your child.
Tip 5: Working with School Staff
Building a strong partnership with your child’s school is so important in addressing school-related anxiety. Teachers and school staff can provide valuable insights into your child’s behavior at school and can be wonderful partners in implementing support strategies.
By working together, you can create a consistent, supportive environment for your child both at home and at school.
Here are some ways to effectively collaborate with school staff:
• Communicate regularly
Keep communication consistent, honest and professional regarding the behavior you’re seeing and how they can partner with you to support your child.
• Discuss potential accommodations
Whether your child qualifies for a service plan, or just a few simple considerations, talk with your school staff and administrators to see how they can meet your child’s needs.
• Identify a trusted adult
Help your child choose an adult – a teacher or staff member – at school that they feel comfortable going to when they begin to feel anxious or nervous. Communicate with this person so everyone is on the same page.
When to Seek Professional Help For School Anxiety
If your child’s school anxiety persists despite these strategies, or if it’s significantly impacting their ability to attend or participate in school, it may be time to seek professional help. The best place to start is with your child’s pediatrician. They may recommend evaluation or further intervention with a therapist.
Our team at Beyond Speech Therapy Services is also ready to help you navigate the challenges your child is facing. Our licensed social workers can provide specialized and specific strategies to help your and your child manage their school anxiety.
Remember, with patience, understanding, and the right support, your child can learn to manage their school anxiety and enjoy their school years!
Don’t hesitate to reach out if you need additional support or guidance. We’re here to help your child build the confidence and skills they need to succeed in school and beyond!