by Melinda Barr

Created on: September 03, 2009

Many children face several issues when it is time for a new school year to begin. Children going to school for the first time, and special needs children may be particularly anxious and fearful.

Parents can help their children face back-to-school stressors by listening to the child's concerns in an open and receptive manner. Telling a child not to worry about it does very little to assuage their fear of facing the unknown or new situation.

Acknowledging that the child's fears are indeed very real to him will open up the communication process. Allow the child to verbalize specific things they feel most stressed or concerned about. Bringing the fears out into the open will allow the child to put a voice to his concerns.

Try to accentuate the positives. There is some part of any new situation that your child is bound to enjoy. Whether it is a social activity, playtime or recess, try to emphasize the positive (and fun) part of going to school.

Do not be afraid to do a little role-playing if required. Once your child has provided examples of his anxiety producing thoughts, help him figure out alternative ways of dealing with them. Model appropriate and realistic responses and teach your child some new coping techniques at the same time. Remember, these fears are very real to the child, and he may need your assistance and training to help him sort through them.

Keep the lines of communication open at all times. Allow your child the safety and comfort of being able to verbalize any fears or concerns he may have. Sometimes they feel very comforted by just voicing their concerns to a trusted loved one. In addition, verbalizing fears can often make them seem far less threatening.

Tears are actually a very valuable way of relieving stress. It can flush out any bad feelings and help to ease tensions. It is up to you as the parent to provide a soothing shoulder to cry on, but let the crying run its course.

By keeping communication open, you will know when your child needs additional help. While every child experiences school misgivings to some extent, others feel it in a deeper more profound sense. By maintaining an open and honest rapport with your child, you will know when additional intervention is required.

By providing your child with plenty of patience and a willingness to listen, you will set the course for open and honest communication. Resist trivializing or dismissing your little one's concerns. While they may appear normal or minor to you, they can seem intimidating or daunting to him.

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