Is Your Child or Teen Anxious About School? What Parents Can Do to Support Their Return
The start of a new school year brings fresh routines, new teachers, and sometimes overwhelming emotions. For many children and teens, this transition stirs up excitement—but for others, it triggers anxiety. If your child is showing signs of school-related worry or fear, you're not alone. Anxiety around returning to school is common, and with the right support, your child can move through these challenges and build confidence along the way.
Understanding School Anxiety
School anxiety can take many forms. For younger children, it might look like morning meltdowns, stomachaches, or refusing to go to school. Teens might express their stress through irritability, withdrawal, or perfectionism. Common triggers include:
Separation from parents (especially in younger children)
Fear of academic failure or pressure to perform
Social anxiety or fear of being judged by peers
Transitions such as moving to a new school or changing classrooms
Past negative experiences at school
No matter the cause, anxiety is the body's natural response to perceived danger. For kids, school can sometimes feel like that danger—even if it's not rooted in something obvious.
Signs Your Child Might Be Anxious About School
Sometimes, children can’t express what they’re feeling. Look for these cues that anxiety may be showing up:
Frequent complaints of physical symptoms (headaches, stomachaches) with no medical explanation
Avoiding conversations about school or becoming overly worried about small things
Trouble sleeping, nightmares, or changes in appetite
Sudden mood swings or outbursts before or after school
Seeking constant reassurance about school-related issues
By tuning into these signals, you can better understand what your child is experiencing and offer the right support.
How Parents Can Help
As a parent, you play a vital role in helping your child manage school-related anxiety. Here are supportive strategies to help ease the transition and promote emotional well-being:
1. Normalize Their Feelings
Let your child know that feeling nervous, worried, or even scared about going back to school is normal—and that many kids feel the same way. Avoid minimizing their experience (“You’ll be fine!” or “There’s nothing to worry about”). Instead, try:
“It sounds like you’re feeling nervous about school. That’s really normal. Lots of kids feel that way after a break.”
Validation helps your child feel seen and heard, which lowers stress.
2. Create Predictability
Anxious kids thrive on routines. Establish a consistent daily schedule before school starts, including bedtime, wake-up time, and mealtimes. Predictability reduces uncertainty, which helps calm the brain’s stress response. You can also:
Practice the morning routine a few days in advance
Visit the school together if possible
Review their schedule, meet teachers, or find their classroom on a map
Previewing what to expect gives your child a sense of control.
3. Coach Problem-Solving Skills
Rather than jumping in to “fix” the problem, support your child in thinking through their worries. For example, if your teen is anxious about finding their classes, walk through solutions together:
“What could you do if you get lost in the hallway?”
“Let’s role-play asking a teacher or peer for help.”
Helping them brainstorm solutions builds self-confidence and resilience.
4. Practice Calming Strategies
Teach your child ways to calm their body and mind when they’re feeling overwhelmed. Try practicing:
Deep breathing (e.g., “smell the flower, blow out the candle”)
Progressive muscle relaxation
Grounding exercises like “5-4-3-2-1” (naming things they see, hear, feel, etc.)
Practice these tools when your child is calm, so they’ll be easier to use in the moment.
5. Focus on Connection
Transitions are easier when children feel emotionally connected to their caregivers. Spend quality time together doing calming or fun activities—reading, playing, walking, or chatting without screens. A strong sense of connection acts as a buffer against stress.
6. Watch Your Own Reactions
Children are highly attuned to their parents' emotions. If you’re visibly anxious or over-reassuring, it can send the message that school is something to fear. Stay calm, confident, and supportive. Model resilience by expressing optimism:
“This might feel hard at first, but I know you can do it. I’ll be here to support you.”
7. Know When to Seek Help
Sometimes anxiety becomes overwhelming and starts interfering with daily life. If your child:
Has persistent school refusal
Shows signs of panic, depression, or major changes in behavior
Is unable to focus or function in the classroom
…it may be time to seek support from a child therapist. Child therapy can help children understand and manage their worries in healthy ways.
Final Thoughts from a Child Play Therapist
Back-to-school anxiety doesn’t mean your child is weak or unprepared—it means they’re human. With your support, they can learn how to cope with big emotions, face challenges, and grow stronger from the experience. Be patient, stay connected, and remember: you’re not alone, and neither is your child.
If anxiety persists or becomes overwhelming, don’t hesitate to reach out to a qualified mental health professional at AP Counseling Group who can help guide your child and your family toward calmer days ahead.
Get Support from a Counselor Who Understands What Your Family Needs
If your child or teen is struggling with anxiety about school, you don’t have to navigate it alone. At AP Counseling Group, we offer child therapy, teen counseling, and parent support to help your family feel more grounded and connected. Whether your child is having trouble adjusting to a new routine or dealing with deeper worries, our compassionate therapists are here to help.
Reach out today to get started with child or teen counseling in Katy, TX.
Explore our blogs for more insights into our therapy services.
Together, we’ll create a plan that helps your child feel confident, supported, and ready to thrive.
Other Services We Offer in Katy and Surrounding Areas
At AP Counseling Group, we offer more than just child and teen therapy. Our practice provides a wide range of services to support individuals and families through life’s many transitions. We offer adult counseling for anyone navigating anxiety, trauma, or relationship challenges, as well as Christian counseling for those who want faith to be part of their healing journey. Whether you're seeking support for yourself, your child, or your family as a whole, we’re here to walk alongside you with care, compassion, and clinical expertise.