5 Ways Back to School Anxiety Shows up In Kids

Starting a new school year can be exciting, but it’s also a time of transition that may leave some children feeling anxious and unsure. Back-to-school anxiety is common at any age, whether it’s a child returning after a long break, starting school for the first time, or transferring to a new school. Many kids worry about the unknown: What will their new class be like? Will their teacher be kind? Who will they sit with at recess? Others may doubt their skills or feel overwhelmed about adapting to the school system. As a parent or caregiver, understanding how to recognise the signs of anxiety and implementing strategies to ease the transition can make a world of difference.

Spotting the Signs of Back-to-School Anxiety

While it’s natural for kids to feel a little nervous, prolonged anxiety can manifest in specific behaviours. Often, children lack the vocabulary to articulate their worries directly. Instead, their feelings might show up in the following ways:

Clinginess – if our children don’t have the words to fully express themselves, they might revert to clinging or being close to you for support. They are essentially using their bodies and proximity to you to seek comfort. Parents are caregivers are usually a source of safety and security so kids might want to be close if they are worried. If your child is specifically worried about relationships and friendships in the context of education then they might revert back to using you as their “safe base” or a secure sense of connection until they identify friends or a stable social group.
Psycho-somatic symptoms (physical symptoms impacted by internal stress like anxiety or fear). These kinds of symptoms show up as sore tummies, nausea and headaches. When we feel scared or under threat our body experiences a fight, flight and freeze response to help us get away from or fight off the danger. Of course, school isn’t “dangerous” but when our kids worry or are scared, they can still experience this reaction. When we get into fight, flight and freeze mode our hearts beat faster to get more oxygen around the body, and to get more blood into our arms and legs (so we can run faster), our muscles tense (prepared for quick action), we breathe faster (to get more oxygen into our blood for our heart to pump around). This can leave us feeling dizzy, nauseous with tense muscles which can cause sore tummies and headaches. Your child might not be able to tell you they are scared, but their bodies will certainly give you some clues to keep an eye out for!
Big feelings/outbursts. When we bottle up feelings they can build up and then escape or burst out at strange times, i.e., the feeling or response is quite intense for the event occurring at the time, or the feeling doesn’t quite match the situation. All feelings are normal and natural, we don’t want to shut down or rush these feelings away, but as a parent you will know your child’s usual patterns of responding to things, or their usual “go to emotion” when they are challenged. So, if you notice that the way they emotionally engage with the world seems to have changed it might be that they are holding onto some worries which are bursting out in other ways.
Changes in eating/sleeping. Anxiety or worry can often be associated with swirling thoughts and intrusive thoughts that just won’t go away and can make it hard to settle to sleep or stay asleep. This, along with the fight, flight, freeze response can impact on sleep. Children can either end up struggling to sleep, or can feel so exhausted from the constant thoughts, and worries, as well as the exhaustion after a period of fear (fight, flight freeze) can cause them to be overly tired and sleeping more often than usual. As above, if they are feeling nauseous, they might not feel up to eating, or they might use eating to distract or comfort themselves. Any changes in eating and sleeping (from usually patters) should be monitored closely.
Keyed up (restless, hard to concentrate, fidgety) – you might notice your child pacing, tapping, jiggling, unable to settle to a task or getting distracted and unable to concentrate. This can be due to the racing thoughts competing and making it hard to stay on track, or it could be pent up energy from the fight, flight freeze response that needs to exit the body.

These are symptoms of how back-to-school anxiety might present, but this is very different to a diagnosis of anxiety. The difference is that back-to-school anxiety is time limited and situation driven, meaning that the worry will come to an end soon, because they are worrying about a specific event or situation which will shortly resolve. However, anxiety is a set of persistent symptoms that don’t resolve once class starts, so its important to continue monitoring your child’s wellbeing and if you notice a marked change from usual behaviour, that persists and is impacting on the quality of the life and ability to engage in things they would usually be able to do, or enjoy please seek support from a trusted health professional.

Differentiating Temporary Worries from Persistent Anxiety

It’s important to distinguish between back-to-school anxiety, which is usually temporary and situation-specific, and generalized anxiety, which is ongoing and impacts a child’s daily life. If your child’s worries persist beyond the initial weeks of school, significantly affect their quality of life, or prevent them from engaging in activities they usually enjoy, it may be time to consult a trusted health professional.

Strategies to Support Your Child

As a parent or caregiver, there are many ways you can help ease your child’s back-to-school anxiety. Here are some practical tips:

Open Communication

Create a safe space for your child to share their feelings. Ask open-ended questions like, “What are you most excited about this school year?” or “Is there anything you’re worried about?” Listen without judgment and validate their emotions by saying things like, “It’s okay to feel nervous about meeting new classmates.”

Establish a Routine

Consistency can provide a sense of security. Create a predictable morning routine that includes time for breakfast, getting dressed, and leaving for school. This can help your child feel prepared and less overwhelmed.

Familiarise Them with the Environment

If possible, visit the school before the first day. Walk around the campus, explore the playground, or meet the teacher. Familiarity with the environment can help reduce fear of the unknown.

Teach Coping Techniques

Equip your child with tools to manage their anxiety. Simple deep-breathing exercises, visualization, or even squeezing a stress ball can help them regulate their emotions.

Focus on Strengths

Reassure your child by highlighting their abilities and past successes. Remind them of how they’ve handled similar situations before and encourage a positive mindset.

Role-Play Social Scenarios

If your child is worried about making friends, practice social skills together. Role-play introductions or conversations, such as asking a classmate to play during recess.

Reassurance and Monitoring

Back-to-school anxiety is a natural part of childhood transitions, and most kids adapt within a few weeks. However, it’s important to continue observing their behaviour and emotional well-being. If you notice persistent symptoms or significant changes that affect your daily life, don’t hesitate to seek support from a counsellor, teacher, or healthcare professional.

By recognising the signs of anxiety and providing a supportive, proactive approach, you can help your child navigate the back-to-school transition with confidence. Remember, the goal isn’t to eliminate their worries entirely but to empower them with the tools to manage their feelings and thrive.

References

Anxiety Disorders Association of America. (n.d.). Anxiety disorders in children and teens. Retrieved February 11, 2009, from http://www.adaa.org/GettingHelp/FocusOn/ Children&Adolescents.asp

Wagner, A. P. (2005). Worried no more: Help and hope for anxious children (2nd ed). Rochester, New York: Lighthouse

Rachel Tomlinson is a registered psychologist who has worked with adults, families, and children (birth through eighteen years old) in a variety of settings. She has presented at national conferences on mental health topics (including trauma and play therapy) as well as guest lectured about domestic violence and relationships at colleges and universities. She also serves as a subject matter expert for journalists on topics such as parenting, child development, and relationships. She resides in Perth, Australia.