Source: Cheddar News
Today, Cheddar News published a video with Dr. Liz Matheis, a licensed clinical psychologist, to talk about anxiety in children ahead of their return to school. She notes that one of the easiest steps a parent can take is simply talking to their children about their feelings.
If you think your child may be experiencing anxiety beyond the normal back to school butterflies, take a look at her insights below.
Ways to spot anxiety:
They appear agitated or have a shorter temper
They experience sleep issues, from not being able to sleep or sleeping too much
They may be tearful
How to help:
If you notice your child is feeling anxious, ask them “how are you feeling?” “are you nervous about back to school coming up?”
Reassure them it’s okay to be nervous.
Reach out to the school and ask if you can go in and walk the building with your child to help acclimate them prior to the first day of school. Take a quick tour, especially if it’s a new school for your child. Show them where the guidance counselor, nurse’s office, bathroom, and their classroom are located. Walk with them on the path they would normally take to get to their classroom each day. This helps make many of the unknowns now known, and should help alleviate some of the worry.
If you can, meet the teacher beforehand as well. Beyond anxiety, if your child has any learning or behavioral challenges or social conflicts, it’s a good idea to flag those to the teacher at the start of the school year.
You can check the full video out at the link below:
https://cheddar.com/media/be-well-how-to-manage-back-to-school-anxiety-in-children?utm_source=n2k&utm_medium=email
If you know families struggling to access or afford school supplies for their kids, please reach out to us. The Sunshine Foundation has sponsored this year’s school supply pantry at Nina’s Place in Fort Lauderdale, and we’d be happy to connect you with their team.
Wishing everyone another great school year, and hope you all strive to #spreadthesunshine.