With 20% of children experiencing anxiety symptoms, experts emphasise practical strategies for parents to support kids through the back-to-school transition and ease their worries.
As central Alabama students prepare to return to class, some families are likely to recognise the familiar unease that can come with a first day in a new school year. The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention says 20% of U.S. children and teenagers aged 3 to 17 have experienced symptoms of anxiety, underscoring how common these feelings can be.
Jody Baumstien, a psychotherapist with Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, advises parents to help children build simple coping habits before school begins. That can include slowing the pace, taking deep breaths or counting to 10, so a child has more than one way to settle down if nerves rise during the day.
Nemours KidsHealth says anxiety in children can appear as stomachaches, heavy worrying or an urge to avoid school and other activities. Its guidance also notes that anxiety becomes more concerning when it starts to interfere with daily life, and that children often benefit when parents listen, offer reassurance and keep routines predictable.
Baumstien said the goal is not to eliminate every uncomfortable feeling, but to help children recognise when worry is building and know what to do next. She also said it is important for children to understand that asking for help is a normal response when emotions feel too big to handle alone. Cleveland Clinic likewise says some children are especially sensitive to change or strong emotions, which can make transitions such as the start of school more difficult.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
