3 Tips for Families to Help Kids Deal with Back-to-School Jitters

Some kids may be eager to start another school year after a long summer break, but many students may also experience back-to-school jitters or feelings of stress. While the experts said this is entirely normal, anxious kids will need more push and motivation from their parents.

Pediatric Psychologist, Dr. Marina Villani-Capo, spoke with NBC Miami on the tell-tale signs of back-to-school jitters and stated that some kids might manifest their anxieties as physical symptoms like stomach aches, vomiting, or headaches. Younger children could also develop fever and feel extremely tired, while other kids may have a nervous energy that could be likened to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms.

Villani-Capo said that although a bit of anxiety is typical, prolonged symptoms may be detrimental to the child's general well-being. Here are some ways parents, and even the whole family, can help their kids deal with back-to-school jitters.

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1. Create a realistic routine.

The doctor suggested establishing a realistic and doable routine at least two weeks before the start of school. For instance, the children should have a set bedtime with limited screen time, so they will be encouraged to get a good night's sleep.

Part of this routine is creating a bedtime ritual, such as showering, playing relaxing music, or reading a story in bed. In older kids, guided meditation might also help reduce anxiety.

2. Talk to the kids about the new school year.

Faith Crittenden, the director of children's mental health at Oklahoma's Family and Children's Services, said that a talk with the kids is necessary, especially if worries for their safety bear their anxieties. The family should listen, acknowledge, empathize, and ask questions to help the kids process their anxiety.

As an encouragement, the parents must also tell the children how excited they are for what the kids will be learning about this coming school year, 2 News Oklahoma.

3. Get involved in the back-to-school preparations.

Daniel Hajovsky, a professor connected with Texas A&M's School of Education and Human Development, told KBTX that the parents or the children's guardians might also want to visit the school with the kids and possibly meet their teachers. As with Hajovsky, Crittenden also believes the school visit weeks before classes start is crucial for helping the children find that familiarity.

"Get them familiar with the building, who their teacher is going to be," Crittenden said. "Let them walk around the building, show them where the cafeteria is, the bathrooms, where their teacher's classroom is, maybe where their locker is."

Essentially, doing these activities will give the children "a sense of what's coming next" so they can get settled and forget about why they are anxious in the first place.

Later, the parents might also want to bring the kids to the store to buy their school supplies. It could help rouse the feelings of excitement as they pick up their stuff for school.

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