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Three ways to reduce student anxiety at the start of the new school year in the US
Even as schools in the US are about to reopen after the long summer break, experts are talking about the important measures parents need to take to avoid anxiety problems in their children as they have to start a strict routine. Anxiety in children is not easy to spot, but its symptoms can range from subtle changes in body language to rebellious behavior like anger. Read on to find out what you can do to prepare your child for the school year.
Signs of anxiety in children range from subtle changes in body language to rebellious behaviour such as anger and aggression
Summer is almost over, and so are the holidays.
Children are mostly comfortable after a long vacation – staying at home, doing things they like, and according to experts, when they realise that school is about to start and they will have to follow a strict routine, it can lead to anxiety-avoidant behaviour.
While it’s not always easy to spot anxiety in children, experts say the symptoms can range from very subtle changes in body language to rebellious behaviour like temper tantrums and acting out. However, avoidant behaviour is a typical characteristic of anxious children.
Figures show that last year at least 87 per cent of parents of children under the age of 18 reported that back-to-school time causes them stress and anxiety, with more than half of parents describing it as the most stressful time of the year.
How to help children deal with school anxiety?
As students get ready to get their children into the new school year, experts have shared three important things they should keep in mind first.
“It’s so important to prepare our kids for going back to the classroom, but also to manage the additional stress and anxiety that can come with getting back into a routine,” Dr. Jennifer Katzenstein, director of psychology, neuropsychology and social work at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, told the New York Post.
According to Dr Jennifer, parents should reach out to the child’s teacher so they can help them through the journey from the drop-off point to the classroom – if they have noticed any red flags. These include behavioural problems such as getting easily irritated, nervousness and persistent anxiety about new classes and students
Three important anxiety-relieving reminders for parents
Create a sleep schedule
Children need to go to bed on time and have uninterrupted, quality sleep for their overall health and development. According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, children ages 3-5 should sleep 10-13 hours a night; children ages 6-12 should sleep 9 to 12 hours; and teens should aim for at least 8 to 10 hours of sleep.
Dr. Jennifer recommends that parents start a new sleep schedule at least two weeks before school starts, gradually moving bedtime and morning alarms 15 minutes earlier.
Monitor phone, computer usage
Most of the time during holidays, children spend hours watching movies and playing games on their phones, tables or even TV. By the time the holidays are over, they become so habituated to screen time that most children are unable to get rid of this addiction.
According to studies, spending too much time on screens is linked to cognitive decline in children’s brains and behaviour – making them stressed, anxious and even angry. “We need to limit it to no more than two hours a day,” says Dr Jennifer.
For children ages 5-17, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no more than two hours of screen time per day, not including homework.
Establish routines
Since discipline is taken care of in school, parents should make a proper routine at least 5-6 days before the school opens. According to Dr. Jennifer, children of all ages find relief from routine, so try to follow a regular routine.
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