Five Ways to Ease Back to School Anxiety in Children
As summer winds down and the new school year approaches, it’s totally normal for children to experience a mix of excitement and anxiety. After a long summer spent by your side, it's natural for kids to feel nervous about leaving the house to return to the classroom, meeting new teachers and adjusting to new routines.That said, there are several ways parents can help ease these worries and set their children up for a successful start to the school year. Here are five effective strategies to help your little ones transition smoothly and even get them excited about going back to school for a new adventure.
- Start establishing a routine early: Start adjusting your child's sleep schedule a few weeks before school begins. Gradually move bedtimes and wake-up times closer to what they'll be during the school year. This helps your child's body clock adjust, making those early mornings less challenging. Create a visual schedule together, including morning routines, after-school activities, and bedtime rituals. During your daily bedtime routine, you can incorporate reading books your child loves to help wind your little one down and signal that it’s time for bed. Talk to them about all the exciting books they’ll read with their classmates once school starts to start piquing their interest. Having a predictable routine can provide a sense of security and control, reducing anxiety about the unknown.
- Reading books relating to school together: Books are wonderful tools for addressing fears and building excitement about school. Choose stories that feature characters overcoming school-related challenges or having positive experiences in the classroom. For bilingual families, this is an excellent opportunity to read bilingual children's books in the target language to reinforce language skills. Binibi's bilingual sound books can be used to practice vocabulary and sounds that might be encountered in a school setting. You can also try singing along to The Wheels On The Bus/ Las ruedas del autobus found in our Los Pollitos Dicen musical book to point out the monkey on his way to school on the school bus as music is also an incredible tool for reducing anxiety and creating a positive association with the theme of the song. Reading together not only prepares your child for academic tasks but also provides comfort through shared experiences with characters facing similar situations.
- School supply shopping together: Kids can’t resist a fun shopping trip, especially if it means getting to pick out their own school supplies that they’ll use in the classroom! Turn school preparation into a fun, bonding experience by creating a list of school supplies to shop for together and crossing them off as you buy them. Let them pick out a new backpack, lunchbox, markers or notebooks with their favorite characters or colors. This gives them a sense of control and ownership over their school experience. While shopping, talk positively about how they'll use these items at school, linking the activity to the exciting learning opportunities ahead. For bilingual families, this is a great chance to practice new vocabulary in both languages, naming items and discussing their uses.
- Practice school-day routines: A few days before school starts, do a "dress rehearsal" of your morning routine. Wake up at the planned time, get dressed, have breakfast, and even drive or walk to school. This helps familiarize your child with the process, reducing anxiety about the unknown. You can make it fun by timing yourselves or turning it into a game they’ll get excited for. For bilingual children, use this opportunity to practice giving and following instructions in both languages, further preparing them for the use of both languages as school begins.
- Arrange playdates with classmates: If possible, set up playdates with some of your child's classmates before school starts. Seeing a familiar face on the first day can significantly reduce anxiety. For children in bilingual programs, try to include playdates with peers who speak the target language. This not only eases social worries, but also provides additional language practice in a relaxed setting. If in-person meetups aren't possible, consider organizing a virtual meet-and-greet with a few classmates.
By implementing these strategies, you can help transform your child's back-to-school jitters into excitement and anticipation. Remember, every child is different, so be patient and adjust these tips to fit your family's needs. The key is to create a positive association with school and learning, setting the stage for a successful and enjoyable academic year. Whether you're raising monolingual or bilingual children, these approaches can help foster a love for learning and an eagerness to return to school. Here's to a great start to the new school year!