<p>Anxious feelings are normal—even expected—during times of transition.
But actually those anxious feelings are completely normal and even expected during a time of transition.
Carilion Clinic's Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine department works with parents and kids who find life transitions challenging. They recommend that parents watch for:
- Difficulty sleeping or interrupted sleeping patterns
- Nightmares
- Expressing fears about things that didn't bother them before
Carilion Clinic pediatric psychologist Tara Mitchell, PhD, spoke with WSLS about how to calm your child's first-day fears.
As you help your child prepare for a new school year, the most important thing is to be understanding and help your child deal with his fear of the unknown.
Try a few of these strategies from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) to calm those first-day fears:
- Let your child know that he is probably not the only one who is nervous, and that teachers will make an extra effort to make sure everyone is comfortable.
- Point out the positive aspects of starting school, such as seeing old friends and meeting new ones
- Use the buddy system so your child has a peer to walk or ride the bus with safely
The AAP also has a first day of school checklist that includes information ranging from developing good homework and study habits to dealing with bullying.
With these tips, your child can have a great first day—and a great school year.
