Back to school season is a time of anxiety for many children. For some, it means the return to a place that they associate with stress and negative emotions. For others, it might mean making new friends or dealing with a teacher who is different than last year.
No matter what your child’s anxieties might be, there are ways that you can help them deal with them and make the back-to-school transition as smooth as possible. In this article, we will discuss some tips on how to help kids with anxiety as they return to school.
What is re-entry anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic?
The COVID-19 pandemic has created a lot of uncertainty in the world and this can be especially difficult for children. Many kids are anxious about returning to school because they don’t know what to expect. Will their school be safe? Will their teachers and classmates be wearing masks? How will they socially distance?
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Re-entry anxiety is the term used to describe the anxiety that children are feeling about returning to school during the COVID-19 pandemic. If your child is experiencing re-entry anxiety, there are some things that you can do to help them.
Talk to Them
One way to help your child deal with anxiety is to talk to them about it. Let them know that it is perfectly normal to feel anxious about going back to school and that you understand how they feel. This can help them feel more comfortable talking to you about their anxieties and allow you to work together on finding ways to deal with them.
Encourage Them to Visualize
Another way to help your child deal with anxiety is to encourage them to visualize the upcoming school year. This means picturing themselves going through their day-to-day routine and imagining how they will feel in different situations. This can help them feel more prepared for what lies ahead and make it seem less daunting.
Prepare Them for the Worst
It is also important to prepare your child for the worst-case scenario. This means helping them come up with a plan for what they will do if their worst fears come true. This can help ease their anxiety by giving them a sense of control and making them feel more prepared.
These are just a few tips on how to help kids with anxiety as they return to school. For more information, please contact your child’s school or guidance counselor.