8-22-06

School Anxiety

Adjusting to going back to the classroom can be stressful for children and parents each school year.

When children are experiencing new situations, such as beginning school for the first time or entering a new school, it's normal for them to experience anxiety. Glen Aylward, Ph.D., professor of pediatrics at SIU School of Medicine in Springfield, says children often have difficulty with the shift in routine.

SOUND BITE: " Summertime has been a time of a lack of scheduling – anything from meal time to bed time, to other activities ... all have been a more laizee faire kind of approach. What happens then when you get back to school is there's a lot of regimentation: bedtime, when you get up --you can't sleep in, homework, you have to eat at a certain time, etc."

To help children adjust to the changes says Aylward, who is also on the medical staff of St. John's Children’s Hospital. He advises parents to increase the child's familiarity with the new situation prior to school starting. Take them to see the new school and meet the teacher and other students in the class. Some of his other suggestions are –

SOUND BITE: ". . . parents need to have an upbeat approach to school -- point out the positive aspects of school, have the child involved in buying the school supplies, new clothes, etc., so that the outlook is more positive from the child's perspective as well."

If the child's anxiety continues and causes a major negative impact on family interactions, parents should consult a school psychologist or their family physician. The child may be refer them to a mental health professional.

This is Ruth Slottag from SIU School of Medicine in Springfield.