The days of summer are quickly coming to an end. Children will soon be trading sun and swimming for school and studying.
With the change in routine, it is also a time when children may experience stomach aches and sleepless nights thinking about the first day of school.
"The vast majority of children have some anxieties about going back to school," says Linda Grossman, M.D., the director of behavioral and developmental pediatrics at the University of Maryland Hospital for Children. "Some children act cool, but when they are settled and comfortable in a new classroom, they will then admit they were anxious at the beginning of the year," adds Dr. Grossman, who is also an associate professor of pediatrics at the University of Maryland School of Medicine.
Dr. Grossman says not knowing what to expect can make children fearful. The less information or knowledge that they have, the more likely they are to let their imaginations run wild. Dr. Grossman suggests easing a child's back-to-school jitters by taking them to the school for a tour before school starts. "If you can get inside, check out the classroom and try to meet the new teacher," adds Dr. Grossman.
"It also helps to have supplies," says Dr. Grossman. Making sure your child is prepared with pencils and paper can help ease some of the anxiety. This way they know they won't have to ask the stranger sitting next to them if they can borrow a pencil.
"It is actually the older children who are more anxious about going back to school. The younger children often just accept a parent's reassurance that everything will be all right," says Dr. Grossman. However she adds, "It is important for parents to be positive about how the child will do with the start of a new school year. A parent's optimism can lead children to feel better about the beginning of the year."
Children who are entering middle school or high school may be wondering the same things: Will I be liked? Will I be safe? These are just some of the topics parents should discuss with their children, and come up with a plan on how to solve a problem in case it arises.
Dr. Grossman also says if the previous school year was tough on your child, it's a good idea to have an open dialogue about how this year can be different.
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