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Easing back-to-school anxiety

COMM_BacktoSchool
COMM_BacktoSchool
Going back to school can be tough for students, but there are things parents can do to help ease the transition. Photo: Metro Creative Connection

As we enter the final weeks of summer, the school year is fast approaching and back-to-school preparations will soon be in full-swing. Heading back to class can be exciting for some, but for others it can be a tough transition, said Barb Gross, Family Resource Services manager at North Rocky View Community Links.

On the first day, or in the first few weeks, students may be nervous or anxious, Gross said, and though some of their concerns may seem trivial to parents, caregivers need to remember how real they are to the child.

“One of the things you want to do as a parent or caregiver is to talk about their concerns – ask the child if they have concerns and what they might be. Their imagination is always going to be worse than the reality of it,” she said. “If they’re experiencing anxiety about starting or returning to school, just ease those anxieties before school starts, if you can. Help them prepare for what’s expected.”

Children worry about things like the possibility of not being in their friends’ class or what their teacher is going to be like, she said, but most concerns fade once students are settled back into the routine of school.

“My best advice for the child is to take it one day at a time,” Gross said. “Take a deep breath and look for things that are familiar and comfortable – connect with a teacher that they had last year and say hello.”

To help with the transition into school, Gross said it’s important for parents to be involved, supportive and patient.

“As a parent and as a professional, I’ve always told parents, ‘Your child’s best resource is you.’ The more you are connected to the school, the better,” she said.

Gross suggests parents of younger children help the child find their classroom on the first day and introduce themselves and the child to the teacher.

Getting back into school habits is also helpful, Gross said, as children thrive on routine and structure. She recommends starting the school routine of going to bed and waking up earlier about two weeks ahead of classes resuming.

It’s also key parents review what to expect on the first day of school, Gross said, as children like to know all the details and tend to feel more comfortable when they are reaffirmed.

“Are they walking? Are they being picked up? Where are they going to be picked up? It seems silly to adults, but kids need to know those details,” Gross said.

She added a big part of parents taking an active role in the transition is to make it fun.

“If you’re talking about, ‘I dread this and I dread that,’ of course they’re going to start picking up on that…. Get them excited,” Gross said.

She suggests hyping-up engaging activities, such as family movie nights, to give children something positive to anticipate.

“Do things they can look forward to. Life is not just about school or work – it’s about spending time together. What is that going to look like? Try to focus on the positive,” Gross said.

“They’re feeling what they’re feeling, but let’s not stay there. Let’s problem solve around that and have a plan for the fun things we’re going to do, and how we can look forward to going back to school.”

Rocky View Schools and the Calgary Catholic School District both indicated classes commence Sept. 3.

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