Here are some tips from Kaitlin, a dual qualified Counsellor and Speech Therapist, to support your child to manage back to school anxiety
1. Name it, don’t rush it away
Let your child know their feelings make sense.
Try: “A lot of kids feel nervous about school starting. I’m really glad you told me.”
Feeling heard helps anxiety settle faster than being told everything will be “fine.”
2. Separate the child from the worry
Anxiety can feel huge and bossy. Help your child see it as something they experience, not who they are.
Try: “It sounds like the worry voice is being loud today. Let’s figure out what it’s saying.”
3. Stick to calm, predictable routines
Anxiety thrives on uncertainty. Simple routines for mornings, after school, and bedtime help children feel safe and in control.
Visual schedules or checklists can be especially helpful.
4. Practice school situations in advance
Role-play parts of the day your child finds tricky, like:
- saying goodbye
- asking for help
- joining a game
Keep it playful and short. Practice builds confidence.
5. Focus on coping, not fixing
Instead of promising nothing bad will happen, remind your child what they can do if it feels hard.
Try: “If you start to feel nervous, what could help your body calm down?”
6. Teach simple body-based calming tools
Anxiety lives in the body. Gentle strategies help bring it down:
- slow belly breathing
- squeezing a stress ball
- stretching or wall push-ups
Practice these when your child is calm so they’re easier to use later.
7. Keep goodbyes brief and confident
Long or emotional goodbyes can increase anxiety.
Aim for calm, predictable, and confident — even if you’re feeling unsure inside.
8. Watch for avoidance (and go gently)
Avoiding school can make anxiety stronger over time.
Support your child to attend while offering reassurance, breaks, and support rather than staying home if possible.
9. Celebrate brave moments, not perfect days
Notice effort over outcomes.
Try: “You felt nervous and you still went — that was really brave.”
Confidence grows from trying, not from things being easy.
10. Reach out early if worries don’t ease
If anxiety is intense, ongoing, or interfering with sleep, learning, or friendships, extra support can really help. Early support makes a big difference.
