CYP Now - Tips to help children manage back-to-school anxiety

With the new school year upon us, it is both an exciting and challenging time for children. New schedules and classmates and mounting workloads are among the common worries that manifest in returning schoolchildren.

Listening is important to managing young people's worries, experts say. Picture: Adobe Stock

However, this year more than ever poses additional risks, with almost half of parents expressing fears that the pandemic has impacted their children’s mental health.

But how exactly can concerned caregivers reach out and support children in managing unhelpful thinking?

The value of listening

Conversations around emotional wellbeing are difficult for anyone, let alone children – who worry they’ll be viewed differently if they admit to experiencing negative thoughts.

So, they must be handled sensitively, at the right moment. For example, instead of sitting down for a formal chat, gently introduce questions while engaging in other activities or games.

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