The beginning of any school year can bring on a few nerves for your kids. With some schools in-person, some online, and some mandating masks, your kids might have a little more anxiety about going back to school this year. I did a little research and wanted to share a few tips that I found to help manage your child’s anxiety.
We’ll never be able to create a world for our children that doesn’t induce some stress. So the best approach is not to create a completely stress-free environment, but to teach children how to manage stress and anxiety.
Deep breaths help relax your body and slow your heart rate. Teach your kids fun breathing techniques. Say, “Imagine you’re smelling a flower.” Or “arms up breathe in; arms down breathe out.”
Talk with your kids about their feelings, but be careful how you ask questions. Don’t ask, ”Are you anxious or nervous about school?” but ask, “How do you feel about school?”
Teach your kids to imagine their favorite place. Squeeze something like a stress ball, play-doh, or silly putty. List animals in alphabetical order.
It’s been a tough year, and if there’s anything that we’ve all felt — it’s anxiety. Whether at home or in person, I hope these tips help you and your family cope with the stress of getting back into school. If there’s anything that I can do to help you and your family, please don’t hesitate to ask.