How to help kids cope with back-to-school anxiety

UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS – As families prepare for the start of the school year in August, many kids may struggle with anxiety about returning to the classroom.

Brittney Schrick, extension assistant professor and family life specialist for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, said it’s important for parents to be patient with their children, help them process “big feelings,” and get a head start on establishing routines.

For some children, back-to-school anxiety can manifest physically as trouble sleeping, stomach aches, headaches and getting easily upset. Schrick said that even for kids who enjoy school, “it’s completely normal for them to be anxious about going back.” Most students will be in a new grade, with a new classroom and a new teacher, and they won’t know if some of their friends will be in their class. This uncertainty is often at the root of kids’ anxiety.

Back-to-school anxiety may also show up with excessive concerns over preparations

“You might have children who are really concerned about making sure they get their backpacks packed, or their school supplies purchased, and their names written on everything,” she said. “If you’ve got a kid who’s very organized like that, that’s their way of controlling their anxiety. If they’re super prepared, they’re not going to be as worried about it.”

The many disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic – including inconsistent masking requirements, switches between remote and in-person learning, and frequent illnesses – have only exacerbated back-to-school anxiety and delayed many students’ social development, Schrick said.

“What we’re seeing is a lot of kids are socially behind, regardless of how old they are,” Schrick said. “COVID definitely disrupted the school environment, and kids need routine. They’re not always sure what to expect, and not being sure what to expect is hard for kids, even all the way up through teenagers, but especially for little kids.”

If a child continues to struggle severely with anxiety even after returning to their school routine, Schrick said it may be time to visit with their school counselor.

“If a kid’s anxiety is so disruptive to their daily life that they can’t function, even after they’ve been given time to adjust to a new situation, it would be worth starting at the school counselor level, and then potentially seeking additional help if that level isn’t sufficient,” she said.