For many children and their families, the new school year is exciting. For others, going back to school can create anxiety over peer relationships, a new school, different teachers and more. For these youngsters there are some things that parents and caregivers can do to create a smoother transition into the school year.
Below are some things that may help you get started on tackling back-to-school anxiety:
- Be calm and supportive.
Be sure to take your children’s concerns seriously and show your child that you support them and believe in their ability to handle the situation. - Allow your child as much control as possible.
While they may not get to choose whether they go back to school, anxiety can be eased by allowing them control over other aspects. Let your child pick their clothes, backpacks, lunch bags, etc. - Help your child develop techniques they can use to calm themselves down in any situation.
Make sure that you are helping them learn ways to self-soothe that they can use anywhere. Things like breathing exercises, drawing, talking to a friend, or taking a walk. Children may try to avoid school more if they don’t know how to calm themselves down without things like toys or an iPad. - If your child’s anxiety is stemming from bullying, build up their self-esteem.
Being bullied can make a child feel small or unimportant and can contribute to feelings of anxiety or sadness. Do things at home that can make your child feel important. Maybe enroll them in extra-curricular activities where they can excel and meet friends away from their school environment. - If your child has more serious mental health or behavioural issues, make an appointment with the teacher.
It is so important to give your child’s teacher the best idea possible about what to expect and how to support your child. Make an appointment with their teacher, where you can discuss exactly what your child’s needs are; make an action plan about what to do when your child is having a bad day; and who they can rely on for support. If possible, bring your child with you to these meetings so the teacher, parent and child feel like they are making these plans together. - If you need extra support, visit New Path.
Sometimes a child’s anxiety might become so distressing that they start avoiding school or won’t attend at all. If this is the case, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. Check our website at: www.newpath.ca to book a counselling appointment through our Quick Access Counselling Clinic. Our services are free of charge and no referral is required for most programs.
For many children and their families, a new school year can cause stress beyond the typical jitters, including financial and relationship issues.
Additional mental health resources for students, parents/caregivers, and school staff are also available on the School Mental Health Ontario website: www.smho-smso.ca
Because Mental Health Can’t Wait
New Path Youth and Family Services of Simcoe County (New Path) is an accredited children’s mental health agency providing a range of compassionate, innovative, and accessible services for children, youth and their families throughout Simcoe County. We are a registered not-for-profit charitable organization with office locations across Simcoe County, including Alliston, Barrie, Bradford, Cookstown, Collingwood, and Orillia. New Path is also the Lead Agency for children’s mental health in Simcoe County, with the goal of enhancing the experience and outcomes of children, youth, and their families seeking assistance with mental health and wellness.
New Path offers mental health services for children, youth and their families in-person, by-phone, or online. A range of free mental health services are offered by professional counsellors. Book an appointment through the Quick Access Counselling Clinic: www.newpath.ca/book-now/ or for those without internet access, by calling New Path at 705-725-7656 .To learn more about New Path, to donate, or get involved please visit www.newpath.ca, follow us on social media Facebook: New Path Youth & Family Services Twitter: @NewPathYFS Instagram: @NewPathYFS or sign up for our TrailSigns Newsletter