By Wendy J. Wallace, DO, President of CCF

Back-to-school anxiety in kids is a common challenge every September. While some children see starting school as an exciting adventure, others experience stress and worry during this big transition.

Easing your child into any new experience is important for long-term success. Visiting the school and letting them explore the playground, walking the halls and pointing out the bathrooms, cafeteria, and their classroom, meeting the teacher briefly, seeing their chair and desk, and letting them know the teacher has your number can reassure a young mind that school is a new venture filled with possibility.

Going through the motions of a school morning a week before classes start — getting up early, eating a good breakfast, brushing teeth, getting dressed, packing a backpack, getting into the car or bus, getting out, walking into the building, and navigating to their classroom — may seem simple to us, but it can be overwhelming to a young mind. This practice allows you, as a parent, to handle these transitions with ease and give reassurance that your little one can do it — and step into a world of learning!

Some children see school as a new adventure, while others see it as too much adventure. Image: pexels.com