How to help your child with back-to-school anxiety

Why might a child feel anxious about going back to school?

Lisa Bruton, Counselling Directory member, psychotherapist, and visiting tutor at the University of Oxford, says there are many reasons why a child may feel anxious about going back to school after the holidays.

"A child might feel anxious about seeing their friends again, or they may worry about a change in academic expectations or schedule," she says. "They might have spent a lot of time with their family and feel anxious about the separation."

Some children may find lessons confusing or feel pressured to learn in a certain way. And those starting a new school - or moving into secondary school - may be worried about making friends or fitting in.

Even experiences outside of school, such as a bereavement, trauma or illness in the family, can make it difficult for a child to settle at school. Bullying can also be a problem - a child may feel like they’re heading back into their bully’s lair after the summer break.

For some young people, the typical school environment, which is often tailored to neurotypical children - those without a condition such as autism - can feel challenging. Children who have autism, ADHD or dyslexia may feel stressed, especially if they aren’t properly supported or their condition is undiagnosed.

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Signs of school anxiety

Sometimes, a child may tell you that they’re feeling anxious, but they may find it difficult to talk about how they’re feeling. Because a child may be reluctant to speak up, it can help to be able to identify the signs of anxiety. Here are some of the main signs of anxiety:

School refusal

If a child is anxious about school, they may refuse to go, struggle to get there on time or leave before the school day ends.

Being sick or unwell

Anxiety can also cause stomach upsets. If you’ve ever felt stressed or anxious, you may have had an upset stomach. This is because our brain and gastrointestinal system are connected via the gut-brain axis. It works like a two-way street - the brain is able to send signals to the gut and vice versa.

When we are stressed, it can trigger our fight-or-flight response - releasing stress hormones such as cortisol. Our digestion slows down so our body can focus on what is worrying us - this disruption can lead to issues such as stomach aches and cramps. Anxiety can also lead to changes in our eating habits, such as eating less or more.

Being clingy

If a child is anxious, it’s normal for them to be clingy. They may also be restless or fidgety.

Trouble sleeping

The stress hormones cortisol and adrenaline - which are released when we feel anxious - prevent us from falling asleep and can mean we wake up more frequently in the night. An anxious child may have trouble sleeping - and it may be more obvious if they were sleeping better before.

Negative thoughts or worries

A child may not be able to explain exactly how they feel, but they may tell you they feel funny, sad or worried. They may say they’re worried about making friends or make negative comments about themselves. For example, a child may say they’re not clever enough - which may mean they’re worried about grades or schoolwork, or struggling with their self-esteem.

Get upset or angry more quickly

Tantrums are a normal part of a child’s development - they simply don’t have the reasoning skills or emotional regulation that adults have. However, the hormonal changes caused by stress can lead to behavioural issues, such as getting upset or angry more quickly, or unexplained crying¹.

Struggle to concentrate

Anxiety can make it difficult for a child to focus or concentrate on their work. They may be easily distracted.

What should you do if your child is anxious about going back to school?

If you think your child might be struggling, it’s important to try to find out what the problem may be. "You could have a chat with your child - ask them how they feel and what might help them," says Bruton.

They might not know what the problem is - only that they’re anxious. If this is the case, you may have to help them work it out. A gentle approach is usually best, which can mean talking to your child about school, their friends, their work or how they feel about themselves.

Anxiety iceberg

Some therapists recommend using an ‘anxiety iceberg’ metaphor to think about how anxiety can present itself. The obvious signs of anxiety - like anger, freezing up or feeling irritable - are at the tip of the iceberg. Then the more subtle signs are below the surface, such as feeling confused or out of control. You can talk to your child using the anxiety iceberg metaphor to explore what is bothering them together.

Anxiety iceberg

Get your child used to school

As the school year approaches, it's important to help your child feel more comfortable about their new school environment. Not knowing what to expect can lead to anxiety.

"Some of this is age-dependent, but you could arrange a playdate with some of their school friends," says Bruton. "You could go for a walk or drive around the school to acclimatise them to the buildings again. You could also speak with them about other beginnings they have had, that they have managed well."

Reintroduce a school routine

Getting back into the habit of a school routine can also help. "You could start moving back towards a school-based schedule, for example, going to bed and waking up earlier."

Find a comfort item

"You could give them an object that is comforting to bring with them - something small like a keyring, a stone or a photo," says Bruton.

Normalise talking about anxiety

Remind your kids that they're not the only ones who may be nervous about starting school again.

"You could also normalise those feelings and talk about your own experiences of feeling anxious at the beginning of something," says Bruton. "You could talk through with them what they could do if they felt anxious at school. For example, speaking to a teacher if they feel upset or stressed."

What support can you get for your child if they are anxious about school?

It’s also important to know when to get outside help. Listen to your instincts, if you think your child has an anxiety disorder or may have additional needs, you should speak to your GP, who will be able to offer advice regarding suitable support and therapy. If you think your child is being bullied, speak to their teacher or other school staff members.

Further reading

1. Ruttle et al: Disentangling psychobiological mechanisms underlying internalising and externalising behaviours in youth: Longitudinal and concurrent associations with cortisol.