Home
>
Parenting
>
Four Tips For Alleviating Back To School Anxiety

Four Tips For Alleviating Back To School Anxiety

Back to school preparations are in full-swing. Soon, the first bell of the year will ring and the sounds of summer will be replaced by the voices of school-aged children bemoaning the end of their summer and trying to sort out their new school routines: What building am I in? Who's my teacher this year? Do I really have to take calculus?

For most children, going back to school signifies a move from the lazy, hazy days of summer to a regimented school routine and poses unique challenges that must be overcome. "It's a school night" becomes part of the parental lexicon for the next ten months and children typically resist the concept. At issue for children and parents alike: change.

Let's take a peek at Zach:

Zach is 7 yrs old and will be starting the second grade at El Rodeo in a few short weeks. He was a star in the first grade, knowing most of the answers and always assisting Ms. Daisy in classroom activities. He even sang a solo in the spring concert!

Understanding that change can often lead to feelings of anxiety, the faculty at El Rodeo began preparing Zach and his classmates for their transition to Grade 2 in April of their Grade 1 school year. Ms. Davis had a special talk with her class after story time. Zach and his classmates were told about how big they have become and how proud she was of everyone's progress. Ms. Davis spoke about next year and their new classroom across the hallway. She even invited Ms. Eva, the second grade teacher, to the class to introduce her to the children.

Zach and his classmates soon began regular visits to their new classroom. On Fridays, they joined Ms. Eva's class for story time and got used to their new surroundings. Despite all the mindful planning for this transition by his teachers, as the start of the new school year approached, Zach began to have difficulty.

He became increasingly irritable at home, and also began to wake during the night. When he started to lose his acquired toilet training abilities, Zach's parents reached out for support.

With constant communication by teachers and parents, and much love and support, Zach was able to adjust to the change in his school routine and now looks forward to starting school. He spent the last week of school happily sharing his excitement about the beginning of a new school year.

Here are four tips to help alleviate your child's back-to-school anxiety:

1) Know: Your child and how they handle transition

2) Communicate: Let your child know that you are aware of their anxiety and that you are here to help see them through their difficulty

3) Support: Your child in ways to build upon their strengths and talents

4) Reach out: To teachers and other professionals for assistance should your child continue to experience difficulties

Transitions are never easy, especially for a child who may feel that their world is out of their control. Assist your child to regain that control in a strength-based supportive way and share in their excitement as they head back to school.

Dr. Charles Sophy currently serves as Medical Director for the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), which is responsible for the health, safety and welfare of nearly 40,000 foster children. He also has a private psychiatry practice in Beverly Hills, California. Dr. Sophy has lectured extensively and is an Associate Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at the University of California Los Angeles Neuro-Psychiatric Institute. His lectures and teachings are consistently ranked as among the best by those in attendance.

Dr. Charles Sophy, author of the "Keep 'Em Off My Couch" blog, provides real simple answers for solving life's biggest problems. He specializes in improving the mental health of children. To contact Dr. Sophy, visit his blog at http://drsophy.com

In The News:

Apple recently notified a small number of iPhone customers in 92 countries that their phones may be under attack by mercenary spyware.

An artificial intelligence-powered home security system can fire paintballs and tear gas at trespassers. The camera identifies human faces and animals.

Technology expert Kim Komando gives her tips and tricks on enhancing your user experience a smartphone and other devices you use everyday.

A new camera called NUCA uses artificial intelligence to create deepfake photos of subjects by stripping away clothing in close to real time.

The Kimberley Kube trail-ready camper has a compact but spacious design and combines luxury, functionality and ruggedness for a weekend getaway.

Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.

Emails instructing you to reset your password for an account may be legitimate, or they may be scams. Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson explains.

Northrop Grumman's Manta Ray uncrewed underwater vehicle aims to revolutionize undersea missions — it glides through the ocean without human assistance.

Learn how to work Google's calendar application to streamline and organize your daily tasks from technology expert Kim Komando.

If you do not want Facebook to have automatic access to your private photos, follow our tips to protect yourself. Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson shows you how.

Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson goes into detail about Apple’s recent iOS update that allows iPhone users to instantly translate spoken language simply by using the Action Button.

Safeguarding your digital life with a reliable physical backup isn't just a precaution, it's a necessity. Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson provides the essential backup checklist.

Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson reveals how a Redditor exposed false recycling claims at their apartment, highlighting a report that only 21% of U.S. recyclables are processed.

Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson offers a travel toolkit featuring five technology tools to help you with booking flights and hotels for your summer vacation.

The bubble behind the clock on your iPhone can appear in different colors. Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson explains what each of those colors mean.

Scammers are using the power of artificial intelligence to mimic voices of people and are using the fake voices to commit crimes, like kidnappings.

Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.

Tech guru Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson explains the science behind the Invisibility Shield, a 6-foot shield that makes people become invisible.

The International Olympic Committee on Friday announced plans to use AI in various Olympic aspects, including athlete identification, training and judging.

Tech guru Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson explains an easy trick to avoid squinting while working or surfing the web by zooming in on your personal computer.

Streaming giant Roku has recently been targeted by a pair of cyberattacks, and the company confirmed over a half million Roku accounts were compromised.

The Land Aircraft Carrier combines an all-terrain, six-wheeled vehicle with a two-seat aircraft, which features electric vertical takeoff and landing.

The European Union has sent TikTok a "request for information" on the video sharing platform's newest app, TikTok Lite, under the Digital Services Act, with the aim to clean up social media.

Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.

The FBI is warning the public about a recent phishing scam via text that claims its targets owe money in Pennsylvania for unpaid road toll charges.

Four Tips For Alleviating Back To School Anxiety

Parenting