Tips for School Anxiety
Notice your feelings about school and going back to school. When your child has had a previous year of school refusal due to anxiety, going back to school can feel daunting. When we are able to regulate ourselves and use the coping skills that we know, then our children can learn through modeling. For example, “Mom is noticing that she is getting a little overwhelmed about school coming up, I am going to take a deep breath and remind myself that everything will go smoothly.”
Get Creative. Create a social story about school coming up and go over it with your child many times before school starts, so that they feel ready.
Arrange for a hand-off. Have a friend or someone that your child feels safe with be waiting for them and walk in together.
Two feelings at once! Share with your child that they can have two feelings at once. They can be brave and nervous at the same time, nervousness does not mean that they are not brave.
Give specific praise for their brave behavior. Remind them that you will be back that they are brave for walking into the school with you and that you will see them again when you pick them up.
Create a goodbye ritual. This will be something that you and your child create together, maybe it is using words, two hugs, or three kisses. This will be special for every child and parent, so get creative!
