With schools heading back after the summer holidays, it’s an anxious time for many children and their parents alike.
Covid infection rates have plateaued over the summer, but there are fears that with schools reopening - and with the autumn and winter just around the corner - infections could be poised to surge once more.
Back-to-school anxiety can be bad enough at the best of times, but a lot of people are feeling it especially acutely at the moment.
So what is back-to-school anxiety, and what can be done to manage it?
What is back-to-school anxiety?
Back-to-school anxiety is the term given to the feelings of anxiety a lot of people experience in the run-up to schools reopening.
It’s been around much longer than Covid, of course. It’s very common for children (and, often, their parents) to feel anxious about returning to school after a break.
But since the pandemic, many more people have felt stressed and anxious about schools reopening, especially for fear that children might be exposed to the virus there.
For children too, this is quite a burden to bear and can negatively affect their mental health.
What can I do about back-to-school anxiety?
There’s obviously not much individual families can do to mitigate the effects of the pandemic in schools, but there are steps you can take to manage back-to-school anxiety.
In particular, try to be positive about the situation and remind children what they like about going to school - whether it’s particular subjects or activities they enjoy, or seeing their friends again.
It’s okay, however, to acknowledge that going back to school can be anxiety-inducing. Many children experience it, so perhaps it might help to remind your child that lots of others will be in the same boat.
Parents should also make extra effort, where possible, to be there for their child as they return to school. Perhaps you could also make time to spend time with them outside of school, doing activities they enjoy.
It may be that your child’s back-to-school anxiety has more serious underlying causes. Notify your school’s teaching staff if your child is struggling, and they should make allowances. They may also be able to connect you to outside help.
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