SCHOOL CAN BE SCARY

A new school year is full of challenges and can be quite stressful. We asked the experts for a ways you can support your child and help them start this new phase with self- confidence

- JOHANÉ SCOTT

SOME kids look forward to the new school year: a new class, a new teacher and a schoolbag full of new stationery. But all this change can also be terrifying.

Whether it’s your child’s first time going to “big school”, or if they’re switching schools, or maybe they just have to get used to a new grade and a new teacher, anything unfamiliar comes with a fear of the unknown.

And while the excitement of something new can outweigh the fear for some children, it can be stressful for others.

It’s the uncertainty, the “what if?” scenarios that cause anxiety, says Lenette Kruger, an educational psychologist from Alberton in Ekurhuleni, Gauteng.

So how can you help your child deal with these challenges? What can you do to minimise the impact of change and how do you empower them to deal with anxious feelings when you’re not around?

Here experts weigh in on how you can support your child with empathy and understanding, and help them kick off the new school year with self-confidence.

WHAT DOES ANXIETY LOOK LIKE IN CHILDREN?

Anxiety manifests in various ways depending on a child’s personality and because their emotional skill sets differ, explains educational psychologist Lenette Kruger. “Not all kids react to anxious situations in the same way, but there are certain signs that might indicate they’re managing anxiety in a dysfunctional way,” she adds.

Look out for behaviour that’s different to your child’s usual everyday reactions, says educational psychologist Lindsey Schwartz.