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Are your children worried about a new school year?
Signs of anxiety and stress can be different for children, especially young children who are starting kindergarten or a new school, or students with different sensory responses who may respond to excitement as stress. Some signs of anxiety in young children who may not be able to effectively express it can include:
Complaints of stomach ache
Bad dreams
Restlessness
Crying for no apparent reason
Defiance
Avoiding the anxiety doesn’t help. Ask pointed questions to find out the specific source of stress. Even if it seems unimportant to you, try not to dismiss it. Reframing the anxiety can help. For example, instead of “Even if you don’t have friends in your class, you’ll make new friends!” try “Do you think your friends are worried about the same thing? Can you talk to them and make a pact about where you’ll meet at recess if you aren’t in the same class?”
Outdoor time is another way to naturally calm anxiety. At Simcoe School, our students participate in regular outdoor education programming in a natural setting. This can be everything from going for a long walk to observe our beautiful grounds to outdoor art, science, and math. If your children’s school doesn’t have a nature program, try to ensure they have lots of time outside to play when s/he gets home. Even just sitting outside quietly can help to reduce cortisol levels, the stress hormone.
Lastly, talk to your child's teacher(s) before the first day if you are concerned your child might be experiencing disproportionate anxiety. Teachers are there to help.
Have a great year!