Extending unconditional support can help children manage their stress with ease, says Dr Ankush Khanna sharing useful tips to overcome the same
Back-to-school anxiety is a common concern. Many kids experience stress going to school after enjoying their summer or winter vacations, while some become anxious when they go to a new school for the first time. Now after a long Covid break where students spent months out of the traditional classroom and studied online at home, going back to school might feel scary.
As schools prepare to reopen their doors, many children find it difficult to cope with this decision. Children are uniquely impacted during the pandemic. They have stayed at home with their parents and might have been affected due to poor health, economic and social consequences. The pandemic has taken a toll on human health and some might have experienced the loss of loved ones. On the other hand, worrying about wearing masks and being unvaccinated can make children more nervous about joining back.
How to identify your child is anxious?
While the stress of returning to school is common in children, it is also important to address it. Being a parent or a guardian, one needs to identify the signs of anxiety in children and help overcome them. When a child is anxious, the majority of the time he/she will never express it in words. Instead, one needs to look for clues and observe changes in their behaviour.
Children who experience anxiety or feel nervous may appear more clingy than normal. This behaviour is one of the most visible signs that can be less present in older children but commonly seen in primary-school-aged children. Apart from this, children become restless and they can be seen facing difficulty concentrating. The changes in their eating and sleeping patterns can be seen and their complaints about stomach ache, upset stomach and indigestion increase.
Identifying anxiety in children is also crucial for parents. Untreated or unaddressed anxiety can increase the risk of poor concentration in children. This affects their performance, relationship with friends and teachers that might lead to other serious consequences.
Ways to deal with anxiety
The most effective way to overcoming anxiety is to make your child speak about what’s troubling them. Without judging their point of view or feelings, listen to their concern that will make them feel better. Here are a few useful tips to deal with back-to-school anxiety:
Make things familiar
Children become anxious when they enter into a complete strange or unfamiliar environment. Thus, as the school approaches, try to make your child familiar with the environment they might experience on the first day of their school. Not being comfortable about their school environment can make them nervous and develop anxiety. It is better to tell them about new guidelines, rules and safety measures taken by the school to give them time to prepare for things that will be new for them.
Assure they are not alone
Spread positivity around the child and make them understand they will not be alone in following stringent safety rules. Other students and their friends will also be a part of the new environment and teachers will always be there to make them comfortable. Remind them of the time they spent in school in the pre-Covid era, enjoying their favourite activity with their loving friends and teachers. A feeling of reconnecting might help in easing their anxiety.
Be present for them in need
Transitioning from home to school after a long break can be extremely difficult for children. Make an effort to be there with them at least in the initial days of school. Offer your support and provide counselling before they re-join. After coming back, give them time and listen to how their day went to make sure your child expresses his/her feelings and concerns.
Promote healthy living
The best way to address and combat anxiety in children is by making them indulge in healthy habits. Observe their eating and sleeping habits and make improvements in their schedule. A child needs to eat a balanced diet, sleep properly and develop physical exercise habits to make sure their brain functions properly. Healthy living can also boost their mood, release happy hormones and help with better concentration.
Know when to seek outside help
If anxiety in children persists for a longer period even after trying your best, it's time to get serious about it. Seek additional help — talk to your child’s teacher or counsellor to make them feel relaxed. The phase of anxiety is temporary and a counsellor can play a critical role in easing anxiety in children.
Summing up
The key to overcoming anxiety in children is to address it on time. Be present for your child always. Understand what they are going through which might be a challenging situation for them. Spreading positivity through your words and extending unconditional support can help the child manage their stress and anxiety with much more ease.
(The author is MBBS, MD in Paediatrics and consultant at Apollo Cradle & Children’s Hospital, Amritsar.)