How to Help an Anxious Child Start School

Today I’ve got 4 ways you can help an anxious child start school!

Do you have a little one going to a new school or starting school for the first time? Or maybe you have a kid who’s done it before, but just gets nervous about the start of a new school year?

Keep reading to see if these tips will help your little one feel calm and happy about going to school!

Help an Anxious Child Start School

Fitzgerald is starting kindergarten this year, and we are all sorts of excited, nervous, and anxious about the BIG change in our lives!

He is typically a cautious kid and doesn’t always take to new situations well. For any new event or experience, I find that some simple strategies to prepare him for the unknown can go a long way in calming his nerves and enjoy himself.

Here are some tips for how we are prepping him (and us!) for the start of a new school year:

1. Read a lot of books about school

Be sure to start talking about school a lot in the weeks leading up to the first day! In my teaching experience, I have found there are some common questions in kids minds that can cause anxiety:

Will my teacher be nice and will I have friends?
What will my classroom be like? Can I go to the bathroom if I need to?
How will I know what to do when I walk in my classroom in the morning?

When reading books that portray school, point it out and talk about it! I have a list of some great back to school picture books that can get the conversation started.

The simple act of recognizing your child’s feelings and talking about it can go a long way in calming their nerves!

2. Visit school before the first day

Especially if your child is starting at a new school, getting familiar with the new surroundings can increase their confidence and ease some fears.

Be sure to check out and attend any events your school is holding, like an ice cream social or other school wide event. But sometimes these events are super busy and overwhelming, so try these ideas too:

Call the school and ask for a quick tour.
Play on the school playground – these are usually open during the summer! Call to check.
Does your school have a walking train around it? If so, go for a walk or bike ride on it.
Call and see if the teacher will let you pop in while she’s setting up the room. I’ve had a few families do this over the years and they said it really helped their kids!

3. Daily affirmations or Scriptures

Daily affirmations are a great way to get in the right mindset for the day! I find that when I do them with Fitz, I am also encouraged!

You may select shorter or longer affirmations depending on your kids’ ages. Here are some ideas to get you started:

I am smart, I am strong, I am brave, I am kind, I am loved!
Today is going to be a good day!
I am fearfully and wonderfully made by God!

I like to say this verse with Fitz on our morning ride: This is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it!

We really can’t be in a bad mood after we recite that together. 🙂

Prep your kid before school starts and recite your chosen affirmations in the morning together. A mindfulness routine is short, simple, and an easy way to calm nerves!

4. Create a goodbye routine together

This tip is really helpful if you have a kiddo who has a hard time saying goodbye and walking into school without mom or dad.

First, plan on where you will do your goodbye routine, which depends on your school drop off situation. Will it be at home, in the car, or outside the school or classroom door?

Decide together a way to say goodbye: A high five, secret handshake, a certain phrase, and/or a hug all work great.

Pro tip: End on something other than a hug so they can’t just hang on you! This helps kids who have a hard time letting go.

Again, be sure to practice this before the first day of school so the routine is familiar and a comfort to your child.

I hope these tips helps to give you ways to help an anxious child start school with a little bit more peace and joy! Which tip is something you plan on doing? Let me know below in the comments!