7 tips to help kids feeling anxious about going back to school

By ITS Education Asia

Many COVID-19 lockdown measures in Hong Kong were lifted on May 25^th. All over the world however there are worries that some children may experience social anxiety about returning to school.

Mandie Shean, Lecturer at Edith Cowan University provides 7 tips to reduce social anxiety as students head back to school.

1. Deal with the physical symptoms. It is hard to think if your body is stressed. Use calming strategies like mindfulness or breathing exercises
2. Anxiety increases while using avoidance techniques. The most effective way to deal with social anxiety might be to face it. Allow your child to have small experiences of social success.
3. Fear and anxiety are normal. Read your body as under threat, think about the changes as helpful. Your body is preparing you for action
4. Avoiding fears is not ideal, nor is being fully exposed. Start small and build courage
5. Facing your fear. Supportive listening and counselling are less effective than facing your fears because these approaches can accommodate the fears.
6. Reframing potential negative feedback. You cannot ensure negative things won’t happen. It is possible you will be embarrassed or be judged. Rather than trying to avoid these events, try reframing them.
7. Remember it is the “perception” that something is a threat – not the reality. Reasoning with your child to help them see your perspective may not change theirs. This reality only changes with positive real experiences.