Psychologists offer guidance for managing children's school anxiety

As schools reopen, psychological experts are providing guidance to parents to help children manage anxiety during the transition to new educational environments. Experts note that children may experience various reactions, including crying, restlessness, anger, or increased academic pressure, as they navigate new rules, teachers, and social circles.

Clinical Psychologist Enise Öziç advises that the adjustment period typically lasts one to two weeks. If a child's difficulty in adapting exceeds three weeks, professional support is recommended. Parents are encouraged to support the bond between the child and their teacher and to avoid deceptive tactics, such as leaving a child secretly, which can exacerbate anxiety. Using books and stories about school can also help children manage emotions and reduce uncertainty.

Psychologist Deniz Mutlu emphasizes the importance of consistent and predictable farewell rituals. Instead of long, drawn-out goodbyes, parents should use short, reassuring phrases to signal that while they are physically leaving, their emotional connection remains. This helps the child feel secure and makes the transition more predictable.