Are you missing these 5 signs that your child is having back-to-school anxiety?

Child psychologists have labeled the fear of returning to school ‘back to school anxiety’, and it is estimated to affect 1 in 3 children. After years of online school, many children are worried about being around their peers, being away from their families, and their ability to perform academically in a classroom setting.

Identifying anxiety can be difficult, but we’ve made it simple with these 5 signs your child is experiencing higher-than-usual anxiety: 

1. Changes in routine: Is your child eating or sleeping differently ? Anxiety can reduce a child’s appetite, or encourage them to stress-eat. It can also cause insomnia, or tire them out so that they sleep much more than normal. Any changes in a child’s regular schedule may be indicative of stress and is worth paying attention to. What parents can do ? Listen from an expert Jitin Chawla.

2. Seeking constant reassurance: Sometimes, children will repeatedly ask questions about school such as “what if I don’t have any friends in my class?” or “what if I get sick at school?”. This is their way of seeking reassurance from you in an uncertain time. Be patient with them and answer their questions honestly so that they know what to expect. 

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3. Mood swings: Although mood swings can be a normal part of growing up, any unusual bouts of anger or irritability can be a sign that your child is struggling with back-to-school anxiety and displacing their anxiety into other emotions. 

4. Physical pain: Anxiety can affect the body, too. If your child is complaining of frequent headaches or stomach aches, they may be experiencing psychosomatic pain, which is pain caused by emotional or mental stress. They may also be trying to avoid school and related events. 

• Repeated avoidance: If they refuse to attend school-related events, such as shopping for a new school uniform, meeting their school friends for a playdate, or touring a new school, it’s likely that they are experiencing anxiety about returning to school.