Children and School Anxiety

Studies show that anxiety disorders among children are on the rise, and they are quickly becoming some of the most common child psychiatric conditions. As many as 10% of children suffer from them and require medical treatment. Experts believe that school anxiety in particular is becoming more prevalent among younger kids, including preschoolers, perhaps because of societal expectations and changes in standards of education. Our society expects more and more from children at increasingly younger ages, and in many school districts, even elementary aged students are required to take lengthy, timed tests and given hours of homework each night. Not all of them can handle it, and maybe they shouldn’t have to try. 

Although increased school requirements can be a factor, children who suffer from school anxiety tend to have average or above-average intelligence, so even if your child is smart, they may have trouble coping with schoolwork for other reasons. It’s also important to keep in mind that starting school, moving, and other stressful life events can trigger the onset of school anxiety, so if there are any big changes in your child’s life, you should definitely be on the lookout. Other reasons can include fear of another student or fear that they won’t do well in school. Children can develop serious educational or social problems if their fears and anxiety keep them away from school and friends for any length of time, so it’s essential to be able to recognize the signs in your child.

Children with school anxiety will often complain of physical symptoms shortly before it is time to leave for school, or repeatedly ask to visit the school nurse once at school. Common physical symptoms of extreme stress include headaches, stomachaches, nausea, and/or diarrhea, but you may also notice tantrums, inflexibility, separation anxiety, avoidance, and defiance.

So how do you help your child cope? The first thing you should do is take your child to a mental health professional for a comprehensive evaluation, which can help uncover the reasons behind your child’s anxiety and determine what line of treatment is best. The most important thing to remember going forward is that the goal is not to eliminate anxiety, but rather to help your child learn to manage it. In other words, do not remove your child from school; doing so might make them feel better in the short term, but it would reinforce anxiety rather than alleviate it over time. In the meantime, it helps to do things like talk with your child about their feelings and fears, emphasize the positives of going to school, and model healthy methods of dealing with anxiety. It’s also best to keep the anticipatory period as short as possible and to familiarize your child with their school, classroom, and teacher before the start of the school year.

For more information on child anxiety disorders, click here. For help finding a psychologist for your child, click here.

Allison Green
Boston Tutoring Services

Sources: ADAA, Parents Magazine, Child Mind Institute