Posted on October 28, 2013 by Carlota Arthur

We do not always realize that children are actually as concerned with interpreting, understanding, and navigating the world around them as we are, if not more.

New experiences, disruptions to routine and new environments can cause a child to develop anxiety and school can be be full of triggers for a child’s anxiety.

Seven strategies to decrease your child's school anxiety

 

1. Take your child to school

Ask the administration for permission to take the child to their class. Explore the school. If it is a new school, explore all of the places your child will spend time, ie. classroom, restrooms, cafeteria, media center, parent pick-up, bus pick-up, main office and computer lab.

2. Get the gear

Check your child’s grade level list of materials and take your child shopping. Make it a date! Use this time to LISTEN to your child, ask questions which will allow you to determine how your child is feeling about school. ie, What would make this year the BEST? How do you feel about your teacher? What can I do to make this year a good year for you?

3. Develop a Routine

What time should your child should start going to sleep and wake up in time to go to school? What do you do to get ready for class school? Routines give children a sense of security and help them develop self-discipline. Consistency in identifying and actioning key parts of your family routine will prove to be less stressful. http://www.ahaparenting.com/parenting-tools/family-life/structure-routines

4. Check the Classics

Go to the library and check out an age appropriate book about a character who has challenges in school. From Harry Potter to Pippi Longstocking, have your child read the book and discuss it with you.

5. See them off

Support your child by either taken him/her to school or wait with them for the bus. Make sure the conversation is positive and you share your positive thoughts with your child.

6. Recap the Day

Adopt the rose/thorn exercise when you listen to your child at the end of their day. First they share a rose (something about their day that they really liked) and then a thorn (something about their day that they was not very good).

7. Leave Love Notes

Prepare lunch or snack for school and write your child a love note letting them know how proud you are of them, and how great you know they will do that day.

While as parents, educators and influencers, we do not always recognize the stress felt by the children in our lives, we are able to help them learn to manage the anxiety they have.

What strategies do you use to decrease school stress for your kids? What about for yourself?

"Children are educated by what the grown-up is and not by his talk." ~Carl Jung