As Charlottesville schools reopen, UVA Health psychologists highlight normal nerves and offer guidance for parents to support children through school transitions and potential anxiety symptoms.
As schools across the Charlottesville area prepare to reopen this week, a UVA Health child psychologist says some nerves are to be expected. Emily T. O’Gorman said in a UVA Health reporters’ conference call that excitement and anxiety before a new school year are a normal part of child development, particularly for younger pupils and those facing a major transition such as moving from middle school to high school.
O’Gorman said the reasons for worry vary by age. Younger children are more likely to struggle with separation from a caregiver, while older pupils often feel pressure from friendships and academics. She added that changing schools, moving house or seeing a friend relocate can intensify those feelings. UVA Health’s paediatric psychology service says it works with children from infancy through adolescence on concerns including anxiety, ADHD, autism spectrum disorders and depression.
Her advice to parents was to respond with calm reassurance rather than alarm. O’Gorman said adults should acknowledge what a child is feeling while also expressing confidence that the child can manage the day ahead. The approach, she said, combines acceptance of the emotion with reassurance about coping. She also stressed that school attendance should remain non-negotiable, since avoidance tends to reinforce anxiety rather than relieve it.
That guidance matches advice from other paediatric specialists, including Johns Hopkins Medicine and Children’s Health, which recommend easing children into the school routine, validating their worries and helping them practise independence. Both say parents should watch for signs that anxiety is moving beyond the normal back-to-school jitters, such as persistent stomachaches, headaches, sleep trouble, irritability or difficulty concentrating. UVA Health says early intervention can help when worries begin to interfere with daily life.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
