By Matt Buttery

Published 2nd Sep 2023, 06:00 BST

Students experiencing anxiety around getting back-to-school is normal and understandable, but it has been a growing issue post-pandemic. The pandemic, and the disruption it caused to children’s lives and schooling, has had some profound impacts on children's learning and social and emotional wellbeing. Figures published earlier this year by the Department for Education found that more than 120,000 pupils were absent for half or more of school sessions in 2021-22. This has meant that transitions, such as the return to the classroom after the long summer break, can result in more children experiencing anxiety and at a greater intensity than previous generations.

For some children the anxiety may be about the change in routine of returning to school after a long summer break; others may feel nervous about joining a new school, and for some it’s challenges around friendships. Regardless of the situation, parents can help ease the transition back to school with some simple strategies to help support their child.

In the summer holidays, it’s common for children not to be in as rigorous a routine as they are during term time. This can make the transition back to school a real challenge. As a parent, easing your child back into a more regular schedule can help them to hit the ground running once school returns.

A file photo of a person walking children to school. PIC: Nicholas.T.Ansell/PA Wire

There are lots of ways you can gently work in a new routine, including bringing bedtimes back to normal during the week term starts or trialling the journey to school to see how long it will take. Once term resumes, helping them pack their bag the night before with everything they need, and encouraging them to talk with you about what they will be doing the next day can make for a positive start to the school year.

Communication is key to helping the entire family adjust to the change. Talk to your child about how they are feeling about starting the school year and, if they have any specific concerns, such as starting a new subject or making new friends, help them come up with solutions.

Be optimistic about the year ahead by telling them about any positive memories you have from your school times, be available when they come to you and answer any questions they have to help them work out what to expect.

School non-attendance is a complex and growing issue. A number of factors could be contributing to your child's refusal to go to school, ranging from the lasting effect of social isolation during the pandemic, stress around the cost-of-living crisis, your childs' mental and/or physical health, family functioning, parent-school engagement, right through to the amount of community support they have. The compounding nature of these issues is exacerbating anxiety levels, leaving many children feeling overwhelmed and using avoidance tactics as a coping mechanism. For this reason, try to be patient with your child if they are refusing to go to school or not looking forward to their first day. Provide them with a safe space to share their concerns, to help them feel more comfortable about attending school.

Matt Buttery is CEO of Triple P UK and Honorary Associate Professor at the University of Warwick.

How parents can help ease anxiety as children transition back to school - Matt Buttery