Easing anxiety on the first day of school

As the new academic year is about to kick off, Parkwood-based educational psychologist Claudia Abelheim offers some tips to address the possible anxiety that children and parents may face when starting at a new school.

When considering that many children will be experiencing their first week at a new school, it is only natural for there to be some degree of anxiety or nervousness she said.

Abelheim noted that it was important for parents to communicate openly with their children about fears surrounding the first week at school.

“Whether they are starting primary school or high school, this spells a very big change and with change always comes a bit of anxiety,” she said. “Parents must try to help their children understand what they are anxious about, and that their nerves are absolutely normal.”

Abelheim added that when parents explained to their children what to expect when they get to school, they helped alleviate the fear of the unknown.

For younger children, parents can also plan fun things to do after school or to do after the first week of school to celebrate the beginning of ‘big school.’

“This can help turn something that is scary into something that is exciting and fun,” said Abelheim.

She also pointed out that children felt safer when there was stability and consistency. Therefore maintaining an old routine, while integrating new aspects such as laying out of uniforms and packing lunches the night before, will help ease the transition and will help them feel calmer with the changes that are taking place.

Taking up extra-murals at a new school would also help children adapt better, as it allowed for a relaxed environment for them to meet other children with similar interests, and help to establish new friendships.