Psychiatrist Reveals Tips to Ease School Anxiety in Most Kids

According to a recent survey, most children experience anxiety related to school, and there are methods available to assist in reducing their stress levels.

Based on a survey from Nemours Children's Health , 64% of kids between the ages of 9 and 13 express concern about school.

Dr. Sue Varma, a psychiatrist, noted that these concerns might include fears of bullying, struggles with academics, or feeling left out of gatherings and social circles. "CBS Mornings Plus" Friday .

"She explained that it might stem from separation anxiety, but also could be due to various issues such as generalized anxiety or social anxiety like ‘How will I manage to make friends? What if I’m left alone during break time? Or what if nobody invites me to join them for lunch?’”

Homework can also cause significant stress for at least 50% to 60% of children, according to Varma.

Therefore, what can parents do? Varma recommends utilizing homework as an opportunity to bond with your child.

“For my part, having two children of school age, I see this as our chance to connect,” she stated. “It provides me with insight into what happens during their day.”

Assisting children with their homework provides parents with insights into topics they can discuss as well. their teachers , she added.

" It provides you a starting point to express, ‘I’ve observed my child is having difficulties with reading, writing, or math.’ Then involve the school since you've personally noticed these issues," Varma stated, emphasizing that it’s advisable to maintain an open channel of dialogue with educators.

“Pose questions to your educators such as, ‘Does my kid make friends in class? Is he overly vocal during lessons? Does he cause disruptions? Does he participate by raising her hand? Does she feel timid? How does she respond to constructive comments? Is he receptive to critiques? Is she progressing? Is he acquiring knowledge?’ Additionally, I’d advise not shying away from consulting with school counselors. These professionals play an essential part bridging academics, social interaction, and emotions, offering a secure environment where children can express their concerns,” she stated.

If children hesitate to discuss their experiences, Varma suggested that avoiding broad inquiries such as "How was your day?" can be beneficial.

She recommends being precise and using yes-or-no questions," such as "Did you encounter someone unfamiliar?" or "Have you gained knowledge about anything new today?