Managing Back to School Anxiety

By Stephanie Barnett Jamison, MSW Integrated Health Systems Navigator

Managing Back to School Anxiety
‍As we enter into the last few weeks of summer, students and their parents are preparing to return to school. Transitioning to a new or different routine after a long break can be stressful and cause some students anxiety.

‍Look for signs that may indicate your child is experiencing back to school anxiety.
Parents or caregivers may notice changes in the child’s eating or sleeping habits such as eating less orhaving a hard time falling or staying asleep. The child may have a more difficult time than usual managing their emotions and may appear irritable, angry, or sad. A child who is preoccupied with their fears, may have adifficult time processing information or following directions. Sometimes the child may complain about stomach pain or headaches.

‍Talk to your child about their specific concerns.
Validate- don’t dismiss their concerns. Transitions are difficult! Let them know that it’s ok to feel scared and that you are there to help them. Use open-ended questions to better understand your child’s fears, concerns, and needs. Ask questions like: What are you most excited about going back to school this year?  If the child has difficulty communicating try asking them to draw picture or collage. You can use a toy or stuffed animal to act out situations and explore your child’s fears or concerns.

‍Collaborate with your child’s teacher or school administration before the first day of school. Visit the school building or classroom before the school year begins. Take a tour, locate the closest bathroom, the nurse’s office, the guidance counselor’s office or any other place the child may need to access during the first few daysof school. If the student has a locker give them opportunities to practice opening it and closing it. Establish a plan for open communication with the teachers, therapists and aides.

‍Review Your Child’s IEP or 504 Plan.
Prior to the first day of school review your child’s IEP or 504 plan. Important things to review include: specific accommodations or modifications; goals and objectives; related services such as occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy, and counseling; assistive technology; and behavior plans, if applicable. I you have questions or concerns reach out to the school before theschool year begins.  

‍Begin to adjust schedules and routines at leastone week before the first day of school.
‍Start to follow the sleep/wake routine your child will use for school at last a week prior to the first day of school. Visual schedules can help children who may need tools tofollow the new routine. Checklists may also help keep everyone on track, especially during hectic mornings.

‍Practice specific strategies or tools that help your child manage their anxiety.
Deep breathing, creative expressions, mindfulness, and other grounding exercises can help your child cope with feeling anxious. Work with your child’s therapist or guidance counselor to identify strategies they can use at school or at home. Lots of kids experience back to school anxiety but thereare things parents or caregivers can do to help ease students into new schedules and routines, normalize fears or concerns, and empower students by assisting them in developing strategies to alleviate concerns or worries.

References and resources:

https://www.polyvagalinstitute.org/vagusnerve

https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/neuroscience/articles/10.3389/fnins.2026.1769779/full

https://seawayvalleychc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Session-6-handout-2-DBT-WORKSHOP.pdf