At the start of a new school year, anxiety frequently starts to pop up. If your child starts to show signs of worry, you are not alone. About 1 in 8 children suffer from anxiety.*
Here are three simple ways to help your child transition from worry into security and self-confidence, no matter how much they’re dreading school.
Reframe “Smart.”
There are many ways to be smart. And, your child’s ultimate success in life is not solely determined by their performance relative to their grade level. (check out my personal experience here)
Work with your child to make a list of strengths that have nothing to do with grades. Consciously affirm and reinforce them. Here’s a fun strengths checklist and positive practice to keep optimistic thoughts top-of-mind.
One-size-does-not-fit-all.
Figure out your child’s learning style with a quiz. It’s fun to have the whole family take a quiz, and it shows there is more than one learning style. Once you know your child’s learning style, you can start to support their individual strengths and opportunities for growth.
Preparation and previewing reduce new school year anxiety.
Another great way to start prepping for the year is by establishing your family’s relationship with your child’s new teacher. Whether your child will be learning virtually or in-person, it’s more important than ever to write up a letter together that shares a bit about them as a person, their learning styles, and any supports that have worked well in the past.
If you can visit the teacher in person (or on a video chat), even better. The more you practice and prepare, the fewer questions your child will have, and the lower their new school year anxiety will be.
Good luck! And remember, progress over perfection.
