As someone who has long since graduated, I can confidently say that the school nightmares that used to haunt me every August and September have finally faded away. However, it took many years after graduating for those dreams to disappear! This time of year can be particularly anxious for both kids and parents alike as preparations for a new school year begin.
Understanding Back-to-School Anxiety: Causes and Symptoms
There can be a lot of excitement about moving into higher grades or starting at a new school, reconnecting with friends after a long summer, and getting new clothes or school supplies (I love my notebooks and pens!) However, this transition can also bring significant anxiety related to new school teachers, challenging subjects, locker combinations, navigating unfamiliar hallways in a new school, and remembering those combinations.
Additionally, many children may experience heightened feelings of uncertainty due to societal changes and ongoing discussions about mental health and social dynamics.
Anxious children may experience nightmares, behavioural problems, bed wetting, have headaches or stomachaches, or other symptoms.
Tips for Easing Back-to-School Anxiety for Kids and Parents
So what can you do to help your anxious kids (or yourself) feel better going back to the classroom?
- Encourage them to talk about their feelings. Let them know they aren’t the only one feeling anxious and afraid. Sometimes it is easier to talk in the car or on a walk when you are not facing each other.
- Try to be calm and relaxed yourself. Kids can sense when you are stressed and reflect your feelings.
- Help to dispel anxiety over the unknown. Talk about the new routines, bus or walking routes, where their classroom is, and whatever else you can find ahead of time. Rehearse when possible.
- Role play challenging situations such as talking to friends and new teachers, dealing with bullying, asking for help.
- Try some relaxation exercises — visualization, deep breathing or box breathing, progressive muscle relaxation.
- Encourage exercise, including vigorous activity, good sleep habits, and a healthy diet.
- Seek professional help when necessary. If symptoms persist and are affecting their quality of life, seek a qualified professional for counseling and possibly medication.
The Power of Literature to Calm an Anxious Mind
- Empathy Through Storytelling: Engaging with diverse characters allows readers to see life from different perspectives. This can foster empathy, helping children understand that they are not alone in their struggles. Stories featuring protagonists who face challenges similar to their own can be particularly comforting.
- Exploring Emotions: Books often delve into themes of anxiety, friendship, resilience, and personal growth. By identifying with characters who navigate difficult situations, young readers may find solace in knowing they too can overcome obstacles.
- Encouraging Conversations: Reading can serve as a springboard for discussions about emotions and experiences. Parents and guardians can use stories as tools to initiate conversations about feelings related to school transitions or social interactions.
- Building Coping Skills: Many novels feature characters who demonstrate effective coping strategies when confronted with stress or anxiety. Readers can learn valuable lessons in problem-solving and resilience that they may apply in their own lives.
- Creating a Safe Space: Setting aside time for reading creates a calming routine that can alleviate stress. Whether it’s curling up in bed with a book before sleep or taking time during the day to read quietly, these moments provide an essential break from the hustle and bustle of school life.
So let’s get on to the books!
(Suitable for mature teens and adults.)
Endless Change– A YA Novel About Secrets and Healing
She was a broken bird.
He was a mender of wings.
Dakota hides dark secrets, and Parker can’t help falling for her despite the warnings. But getting too close could destroy them both.
In a genre dominated by kick-ass heroines in post-apocalyptic dystopian worlds, wizards and magical realism, Ms. Workman is carving out her own niche. Her books show us real kids facing scary real-life problems in the modern world. Her work is both an invitation to empathy and a cautionary tale.
—Talena Winters
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Stand Alone
Is Justine crazy? Everyone thinks so.
Her mother, her classmates, even the police. But Justine knows there’s more to her past than anyone is telling her. With her life spinning out of control, she’s determined to uncover the truth, no matter how painful.
The portrayal of Justine felt very true to me. I had a troubled childhood and youth myself and I really identified with Justine’s feelings, words, and actions. Some of the things Justine said and did were things I said and did when I was her age. The characters felt very three-dimensional and real. The story pulled me in and I just had to know how it ended! I swayed back and forth in my opinions about all the characters and was very satisfied with how everything played out in the end.
—Sparrow, Amazon reader
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Intersexion
Taylor is a teen teetering on the edge of a steep precipice. Disowned by his family, living on the street, battling abuse and prejudice, he struggles to discover who he really is and how to carry on with life.
The last person you would expect to touch him is Roz, whose foremost identity is a Christian wife and mother. But her world is about to be shaken. Through all that happens, Roz understands she has to be there for Taylor, knowing he is only one step from despair and self-destruction.
Absolutely loved this book, I sure hope there’s a sequel. Taylor’s life is so interesting I need to know more…
Reading Taylor’s journey from parental abuse, to the group home, to peer abuse is heartbreaking, inspiring and such a great read giving opinion and fact from the religious to the scientific spectrum. A great read and so well written.
“[P.D. Workman’s] stories are so believable and you can’t help but feel like you know these people. You find yourself crying, laughing and feeling the characters emotions. Now if an author can make you cry and feel every emotion in a story, she is one hell of an author.”
“She has a real handle on some of the terrible things that life hands out. One awful thing is man’s inhumanity to man. The worst is man’s inhumanity to children…”
Start on a journey of discovery with Taylor and Roz today.
Cynthia Has a Secret
Carmina Knight’s perfect life crumbles overnight.
Now on the run and completely alone, she can’t trust anyone—but she can’t survive on her own either. Investigator Neil Crowther must find her before it’s too late.
It takes a while to learn Cynthia’s secret. The author keeps us in suspense, which keeps us riveted to the story. I would recommend this book to boys and girls from upper grade school to high school.
—Victoria, Goodreads Reader
This is a great story of a young girl’s struggle to survive
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Lion Within
The lion rages within him.
Leo grew up between a rock and a hard place. His experiences as a child made him tough. As the oldest of the children, the drive to be the protector of the innocent and helpless permeates every part of his life. But so does the anger that no amount of boxing can ever exorcise.
As he waits for the monster who is his father to die, a chance encounter brings Elizabeth and her baby into his protective circle. But is Elizabeth as lost and innocent she seems to be? Or have her own experiences turned her into something else?
As he learns more, Leo wonders whether he can help Elizabeth or if he is messing around with something beyond his ability to manage.
I really liked this book. It made me cry a lot, I felt sorry for the male protagonist in this book for all the trouble that his parents put him through. I can also understand that he had a hard time as an adult with trying to trust people when you go through what this young man and his siblings went through it just amazes me that they could even function in life and not let it get them down. I will read more by this author in future.
—Rebecca, Goodreads Reader
Content warning – graphic violence
FAQs
1. What are common signs of back-to-school anxiety in children?
Back-to-school anxiety can manifest in various ways, including nightmares, behavioral issues, bed-wetting, headaches, stomachaches, and general irritability. Children may also express feelings of fear or dread about returning to school.
2. How can I help my child cope with school-related anxiety?
Encouraging open communication is key. Talk to your child about their feelings and reassure them that it’s normal to feel anxious. You can also practice relaxation techniques together, create routines for the school year, and role-play challenging situations they may encounter.
3. Are there specific books you recommend for children experiencing anxiety?
There are many great books aimed at helping kids understand and cope with their emotions. Look for stories that feature characters overcoming challenges similar to those your child might face. These books can offer comfort and promote empathy.
4. When should I seek professional help for my child’s anxiety?
If your child’s symptoms persist or significantly interfere with their daily life—such as affecting their ability to go to school or participate in activities—it may be time to seek advice from a mental health professional.
5. How important is a calm home environment during this transition?
Creating a calm and supportive home environment is crucial during back-to-school season. A relaxed atmosphere helps reduce stress and makes children feel safe as they prepare for the new school year.
6. Can exercise really help with anxiety?
Yes! Regular physical activity can boost mood, reduce stress, and improve overall mental health. Encouraging your child to engage in sports or play outside can be an effective way to alleviate anxiety.
7. What if my child doesn’t want to talk about their feelings?
If your child is reluctant to discuss their feelings directly, try engaging them in conversations during low-pressure situations—like during car rides or walks—and let them know it’s okay not to share everything right away.
