Style Magazine - August 2023

Kids
s
For middle and high
schoolers, knowledge of
EASING ANXIETY
Some students will find
the campus itself becomes
themselves eager to get back
even more important, as
to school and see their friends
students must search for
again after a long break while
multiple classrooms. Ryan
others may struggle with
recommends students keep a
anxiety, especially if they’re
copy of their schedule (with
entering a new school.
the classroom numbers)
handy, until they’re familiar
with their new routine.
Tip #5: Nerves Are Normal
Tonia Stallions, counselor at
Barbara Chilton Middle School,
Tip #4: Know What’s
Expected
Young elementary
urges students to remember
that they’re not the only
ones feeling nervous about
school students are still
starting a new year; most other
understanding what
students are uneasy, too.
school is about and what’s
Buchan also encourages
expected of them. “[It’s
students to remember that
important to go] step-
the nervousness will pass.
by-step for everything,”
“Have students identify the
Scarbrough says.
feelings they’re experiencing,”
For older kiddos, Buchan
she says. “[I use] a feelings
suggests talking about the
wheel that shows some basic
Tip #2: Have
Healthy Habits
In addition to getting the right
expectations for what the
school day entails—from how
your child gets to school and
rules and expectations (set
by either the school or your
family)—especially around
technology use on campus,
emotions (happy, sad, fearful,
etc.) as well as more complex
ones (inquisitive, indignant,
overwhelmed, etc.) to help
amount of sleep, Nancy Ryan,
how pickup/drop-off will work,
including personal cell phone
students name their feelings
LMFT and CEO of Relationship
to behavior on campus, and
(or tablet/laptop) usage, or
and then notice that each
Therapy Center, also highlights
what your student is expected
school-issued Chromebooks.
feeling does not define them.”
the importance of good “sleep
hygiene” to make sure that
those hours racking up Z’s are
as restful as possible.
Ryan cites a few basic
to be responsible for.
Tip #3: Take a
Campus Tour
If your child is starting a
Tip #6: Read Up &
Reach Out
If your child is making a big
transition or is prone to
things you can do to clean
new school, it’s especially
anxiety, there are lots of
up your kiddo’s sleep routine:
important for them to get
resources available, including
not having a TV on in the
to know the campus. For
teachers, school counselors,
background while they fall
elementary school children,
local therapists, and books.
asleep (and reading instead!),
meeting their teacher and
For young children with
using blackout curtains to
seeing their classroom
separation anxiety, Scarbrough
create a dark environment,
before the first day can ease
recommends reading The
and ensuring they shower
anxiety. Yvonne Scarbrough,
Invisible String by Patrice
or bathe about 30 minutes
counselor at Cirby Elementary,
Karst with your kids. For
before bed.
recommends attending any
parents of older children,
As for an appropriate
teacher meet-and-greets and
Buchan recommends Anxious
“lights out” cutoff for evening
orientation events that many
Kids, Anxious Parents: 7 Ways
screen time? Buchan says
local schools offer in the days
to Stop the Worry Cycle
“doctors in the past have
before a new year starts.
and Raise Courageous &
recommended two hours
before bed. [Personally]
that seems like it would be a
struggle for most families, so
I [suggest starting with] 30
minutes.”
GREAT
EXPECTAT IONS
The experts agree that
families should identify clear
“Go through the day with
them,” Scarbrough says. “For
example, ‘first, you're going to
[get dropped off at] school;
next, you're going to have
breakfast in the cafeteria;
then the bell will ring.’ A lot of
whatever's unknown, kids will
fill in with their imagination,
which can make them
incredibly overwhelmed.”
Independent Children by Reid
Wilson and Lynn Lyons.
Ryan reminds parents that
when worrying becomes severe
or leads to panic or avoidance,
it may be time to seek
professional help with individual
or family therapy. “What I wish
for this generation is to not
have shame around their mental
health,” she says.
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