{"id":55616,"date":"2021-01-19T00:00:04","date_gmt":"2021-01-19T08:00:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/world.edu\/?p=55616"},"modified":"2021-01-19T01:34:27","modified_gmt":"2021-01-19T09:34:27","slug":"is-your-child-anxious-about-starting-school-for-the-first-time-heres-how-you-can-help","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/world.edu\/is-your-child-anxious-about-starting-school-for-the-first-time-heres-how-you-can-help\/","title":{"rendered":"Is your child anxious about starting school for the first time? Here\u2019s how you can help"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/p>\n

Starting school is an important event for children and a positive experience can\u00a0set the tone<\/a>\u00a0for the rest of their school experience.<\/p>\n

Some children are excited to attend school for the first time, yet others feel anxious. Back to school anxiety is a\u00a0widely accepted phenomenon<\/a>, but there is no data on exactly how many children feel anxious prior to starting school.<\/p>\n

The data available indicates\u00a06.9% of 4-11 year olds<\/a>\u00a0(278,000 children) have a diagnosed anxiety disorder in Australia.<\/p>\n

Children who experience anxiety are more likely to have\u00a0worse academic outcomes<\/a>\u00a0if it is not addressed. Therefore, it is critical to manage feelings of anxiety effectively to ensure children experience success in school. Parents can be comforted by the fact\u00a0research<\/a>\u00a0shows exposure to our fears helps to reduce anxiety.<\/p>\n

Fear of the unknown<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Children can feel anxious about starting school due to uncertainty and a perceived lack of control.\u00a0In one study<\/a>, children said they felt shy or scared when they were starting school because they were unsure of their teacher, what was going to happen and where they would put their things.<\/p>\n

Children also reported<\/a>\u00a0making friends and meeting \u201cscary big kids\u201d as a worry when they were starting school. However, some children were also excited about the possibility of making new friends.<\/p>\n

This shows if children perceived the experience as a threat rather than an opportunity, they experienced anxiety.<\/p>\n

The stories we tell<\/strong><\/h4>\n

When children have not attended school before they rely on their parents\u2019 stories to help them frame their expectations.\u00a0Research<\/a>\u00a0indicates children have increased social anxiety when parents\u2019 stories include a threat in the environment or suggest the child is vulnerable.<\/p>\n

Conversely, when parents\u2019 stories include encouragement and suggest the child is competent and can cope, the children have less anxiety.<\/p>\n

Related to that is research showing children can experience anxiety due to either\u00a0excessive reassurance from their parents<\/a>\u00a0or overprotectiveness. While excessive reassurance is done to encourage children, it can also communicate to them there is a threat. It can cause children to become\u00a0reliant on their parents<\/a>\u00a0for comfort when they are stressed and believe they are unable to cope alone.<\/p>\n

Being overprotective can be due to\u00a0parents\u2019 own anxiety and insecurities<\/a>\u00a0about the school system. Unfortunately, while it is done in love, too much parent control leads to\u00a0reduced problem solving skills and reduced competence<\/a>\u00a0in children. Overprotective parenting can communicate to children they\u00a0need protecting from a \u201cthreat\u201d <\/a>\u00a0(school). Children begin to feel anxious unless their parent is there to protect them.<\/p>\n

Separation from parents can cause anxiety too. The\u00a0diagnosis of separation anxiety<\/a>\u00a0is characterised by excessive anxiety concerning separation from the home or from those to whom the child is attached. Separation anxiety is normal in children but can be exacerbated by\u00a0divorce, stress, or the child\u2019s temperament<\/a>.<\/p>\n

What helps children feel less anxious about starting school?<\/strong><\/h4>\n

There are several things that can help children \u2014 and their parents \u2014 feel less anxious about starting school.<\/p>\n

Schools can communicate well with parents so they have knowledge about the upcoming processes. When\u00a0parents know how things work they have reduced anxiety<\/a>, therefore their child also has less anxiety. Schools can explain where children are dropped off, how long parents can stay, and how they arrange meetings with teachers. If you are a parent, ask for this information if it is not provided.<\/p>\n

Parents and schools can provide children with skills and information. This can include positive advice on making friends, where things are located (such as the toilet), and how to access support. Some certainty and control can alleviate feelings of anxiety.<\/p>\n

Research<\/a>\u00a0shows talking to children about future events and listening to their concerns can alleviate anxiety. This doesn\u2019t mean you bring up potential threats, but address concerns on the children\u2019s mind.<\/p>\n

When parents make links between previous positive experiences and starting school, children are\u00a0less anxious<\/a>. Parents can remind children of the time they succeeded at swimming when they were nervous, or how they learned their alphabet. These small successes can provide a foundation for children\u2019s school success.<\/p>\n

Parents can also provide their child with some control and certainty over starting school. Let children select their bag and stationery. Walk around the school grounds with them. Introduce them to a child in the same year. Some certainty within uncertainty is healthy.<\/p>\n

Finally, tell a good story. School can be exciting and filled with great experiences. Frame school as a potentially positive experience and one to look forward to. They may be nervous but they can overcome it.<\/p>\n

Author Bio: <\/strong>Mandie Shean is Lecturer, School of Education at Edith Cowan University<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Starting school is an important event for children and a positive experience can\u00a0set the tone\u00a0for the rest of their school experience. Some children are excited to attend school for the first time, yet others feel anxious. Back to school anxiety is a\u00a0widely accepted phenomenon, but there is no data on exactly how many children feel […]\n… learn more→<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"author":33,"featured_media":55625,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[357605],"coauthors":[11733],"class_list":["post-55616","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-starting-school"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nIs your child anxious about starting school for the first time? 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