Back to School Worries
Dear Subscribers:
If you have limited time to read through the entire blog, here are a few play-based activities to share with your children who may be experiencing back to school worries or anxiety.
1. Read and Sing together 📚
One way to calm your child’s fears about back to school worries is to acknowledge their concerns then problem-solve and discuss ways for them to cope. Another way is to cuddle, then read and laugh together as you enjoy a humorous book about returning to school.
- Click on the link When My Worries Get Too Big: A Relaxation Book for Children Who Live with Anxiety (6:16 mins.) read by the author Kari Dunn Buron is written to help children, parents, and teachers understand the anxiety experienced by children and offers some suggestions about how children can recognize “anxiety” and what they can do.
- Click on the link First Day Jitters by Julie Danneberg (4:14 mins.) Mr. Hartwell tries to convince a nervous Sarah to come out from under her covers and attend her first day of school. When she overcomes her fear and arrives at school, readers realize that Sarah Jane Hartwell is the new teacher. Kids will appreciate the turnabout joke and be reassured that they are not alone in their first-day jitters.
- Click on the link The I’m Not Scared Book by Todd Parr (2:42 mins.) Several typical childhood fears, including fear of the dark, dogs, starting school, and getting lost, are illustrated in this book that encourages kids to address and think through their fears to find a solution.
2. Create together: Observing, Drawing and Constructing 🧩
Ants provide us an opportunity to discuss the importance of each person taking on individual responsibilities and making a contribution as a member of the team – at home or in the classroom.
- Read the National Geographic ANTS book together. (7:23 mins.) and join your child in doing some word searches – medium or harder.
3. Explore together 🌍
- Read about how the garden (at home or a community garden) can be a great outdoor classroom filled with learning. Gardening can teach children emotional skills such as patience and being responsible which extends the learning beyond acad
4. Engage and Interact: 👭
- Read about some ideas of what to do when children are anxious or check out some available anxiety apps for kids. Learn about some strategies to support children who may have separation anxiety because of routines established due to covid.
5. Reflect: Thoughts of the Day about anxiety and preparations for back to school 💭
If your child is experiencing different behaviours associated with anxiety, look for ways to engage in humorous activities whether by reading funny books or by playing silly jokes. Acknowledge your child’s fears and concerns and remind them of times they successfully solved problems.
Educators and parents can support children by using a variety of anxiety-reducing strategies