8-19-08

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.  Dr. Glen Aylward, clinical psychologist at SIU School of Medicine in Springfield, says children often have difficulty with the shift in routine.

SOUND BITE:  “Obviously they are kind of transitioning from a fun time, that is summer with vacations and so on, to a potentially not so fun time, which is school with homework and being inside when you want to be outside and so on.”

To help children adjust to the changes Aylward, who is also on the medical staff of St. John’s Children’s Hospital, 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.   He offers several other suggestions –

SOUND BITE:  “If the child is a little bit older, you can discuss with him or her the routine they are going to have once school begins, when they are going to take the bus, when they are going to get home, and things of that nature.  Also, one needs to start the bedtime sleep cycle and everything else probably at least a week earlier than school begins so that the child can adjust in that regard.”

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

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