As a parent, seeing your kids struggle with anxiety is certainly not a good sight. Children are like free birds, not acquainted with changes. And one of these changes is going to school for the first time, or to a new school. These two scenarios are big, drastic changes in a child’s life. For them, it is not just traveling to a new place, but a change in routine, surroundings, and people.
Fact check: Anxiety disorders affect 1 in 8 children! If not treated properly, research shows that they perform poorly in school and engage in substance abuse
In this phase of your life, your child needs you and your support, the most. This increases your concerns and responsibility. Thus, to help you with that, Etutorworld has rounded up a few tips to help your child deal with ‘back to school’ anxiety:
Encourage Communication
According to www.oliverpyattcenters.com children tend to be shy to discuss their fears about the new school. They either think it is too silly or not discussion-worthy. That’s when you need to step in and tell them how it is normal to have concerns. Ask your child about the doubts, insecurities, and thoughts about its new school and life. It is most advisable while doing daily activities to avoid extra stress. Say, during your evening walk or whilst morning cup of coffee.
Hire a Tutor
School familiarizes the child with the basic concepts of subjects and if the foundation is careless his/her entire career might be at risk. If you think you are unable to dedicate the demanded time, it’s best to hire a tutor.
Students develop insecurity, if or when they are not so good with a subject. A tutor can not only help them build self-confidence but also guide them through the weaker subjects. This will also give them the strength to fight the inferiority complex, at any level.
Additionally, as we grow, there are more difficult subjects added to our syllabus. For example, when Geometry was introduced to my syllabus, I was highly scared of this. But then my mom got me a Geometry tutor and things were no longer tough.
The expertise and experience of tutors is an asset. They are familiar with the learning patterns and brain structure of a child in various ways. The reason why it lends an expert view in matters other than just academics.
Instead of reassurance, look for solutions
Children seek assurance from us, and as parents, we want to end their misery just to see them smile again – the reason why most of us end up saying ‘don’t worry,’ or ‘Everything will be fine’. But reassuring them is not the solution. In fact, it keeps your child in the dark keeping him/her totally unprepared for the storm that’s coming.
So instead, why not start solving the problems or at least have a plan prepared about how to deal with the worst-case scenario. Whenever your child discusses a problem and hope for a reassurance, teach him to look at the bigger picture. I know it might seem harsh at the moment, but it will only make your little one tough for its future endeavors.
Build cordial relations with the teacher
If you and your child’s teachers are on the same page, it can benefit you in multiple ways. First, you don’t know what is happening in school, but the teacher does. Both of you wish the best for your child, and working together would only make things easier.
There can be days when your child wouldn’t want to share what happened in school because of multiple reasons. In those times you can reach out to the teacher and seek a quick review. You can also keep a tab on your child’s strengths, weaknesses and overall performance at frequent intervals. This will help you and the home tutor to guide the child better.
Pamper your child with rewards
Once your child has settled into the new life, a new school, half of your stress is eliminated. Rewards have a strange power to do wonderful things. Most of us have a misconception that rewarding children is more har than benefit, but rewarding doesn’t always mean materialistic presents. Hugs, kisses, praises or anything else that reciprocates the love are also rewards. They make your child appreciated his hard work.
Final word
Anxiety is normal during this transition phase of your child’s life but as a parent, it is your duty to not let it build, and I am sure you wouldn’t. Like I said, keep a few things in mind and your little one will enjoy the best phase of his life to the fullest, without any anxiety and stress.
