(WSET) — As children return to school, anxiety levels can rise due to the uncertainty of new experiences, according to Dr. Cindy Smith, director of the Children’s Emotions Lab at Virginia Tech.
Smith said kids can face uncertainty around unfamiliar situations, especially as classes start up.
She explained that this uncertainty can lead to anxiety among children, with contributing factors including fitting in, meeting new teachers, navigating classrooms, and riding the bus for the first time.
For kids themselves, Smith recommends a few tips if they start feeling anxiety.
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“Having them focus on their breathing, counting to 10 and then talking to their teachers, so that the teachers know what they’re feeling and can help them with that anxiety as well. Then, if the children are continuing to feel that way at school, going to talk to school counselors,” Smith said.
To help children cope with back-to-school nerves, Smith provided these tips:
- Watch for subtle signs of anxiety: Stomachaches or increased irritability may be clues that a child is stressed.
- Keep communication open: Encourage children to share their feelings and validate their emotions.
- Avoid dismissing their worries: Use an “emotion coaching philosophy,” and treat emotions as opportunities for growth and learning.
- Choose your words carefully: Phrases like “it will be fine” or “you shouldn’t worry” do not acknowledge how children are feeling, potentially making them less likely to open up and increasing their anxiety.
- Connect through enjoyable activities: Doing something fun together can help create opportunities to talk about what’s on their mind.