Back to school anxiety is a very common and real issue parents have to manage every year, with an exceptional year such as 2020, studies have shown that this is a conversation that needs to be had with all children to tackle any fears they might have with rejoining and going back to their “normal” routines during COVID-19.
However, due to COVID-19 the back to school anxiety doesn’t just fall on the minds of children but parents as well, while you address your children’s anxieties this would in return help you process your own.
As a parent the role you play is an influential role in guiding your children to understand and cope with the back to school transition, anxiety about being separated from their families after many months of only being together. Separation anxiety could make it extra difficult to send children back to school.
How do we tackle back to school anxieties during COVID-19? The following is a list of research backed tips.
- To start with, always have an open discussion with your child, listen clearly to each of their concerns and be honest with them. Validate the points they make and tailor answers that are factual but also reassuring.
- Problem solve with your child, find solutions to their concerns together leading them to build confidence by knowing they are finding solutions to their anxieties.
- Positive energy focus on how things could go well instead of the bad that could happen, while you validate their worries motivate them to push through them. For example, ask them questions such as; “What are you most excited about on your first day at school?”, “What do you miss doing in class”.
- Practice separating, doesn’t have to be a major separation but something small such as: you are spending more time busy in different rooms of the house while your child stays busy with other tasks. This would slowly get them used to not constantly seeing you around them or communicating with you.
- Its important to remind your child that they can control their part against COVID-19, by wearing a mask, practicing social distancing and constant hand washing.
- Set a routine for your child, make sure they are sleeping at an appropriate time and are getting enough sleep, eating healthy food and specific times in the day and set a time for them to be physically active.
Anxiety is treatable, especially back to school anxiety if treated correctly. Remember to listen to your child’s worries and break it down with their help, if you struggle with communicating it well then you can always ask for their teachers to assist you in making the flow back to school easier.