New School, New Worries: Helping Children Cope with School Anxiety
Listen to the story
A new report looks at anxiety in school-age children and how families can respond.
It notes that starting a new school, even one with a completely new name, can feel unfamiliar and stressful for young students.
Children may worry about new classrooms, new teachers, and new classmates.
Experts warn that this kind of stress should not be ignored, because it can develop into a more serious mental health problem if left unaddressed.
The report advises parents to pay close attention to changes in their child's behaviour when a new school year begins.
Signs of worry can include trouble sleeping, loss of appetite, or reluctance to attend school.
Talking openly with children about their emotions is one of the simplest ways to help them feel supported.
The report also suggests that teachers play an important role by creating a welcoming environment for new students.
A calm and friendly classroom can reduce a child's fear of the unknown.
Doctors stress that early intervention is far more effective than waiting until anxiety becomes overwhelming.
Simple routines, like preparing school bags together the night before, can also help reduce stress.
The report reminds parents that school anxiety is common and can usually be managed with patience and communication.
Ignoring the signs, however, may allow the problem to grow larger over time.
Vocabulary6 words
- anxiety
- a strong feeling of worry or fear
- mental health
- the condition of a person's mind and feelings
- emotions
- feelings like happiness, fear, or sadness
- environment
- the surroundings or conditions around someone
- intervention
- action taken to help solve a problem early
- behaviour
- the way a person acts
Quiz
Answer key
1. Anxiety among school-age children 2. Starting a new school with an unfamiliar name 3. It is more effective than waiting
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
A new report looks at _____ in school-age children and how families can respond.
It notes that starting a new school, even one with a completely new name, can feel _____ and stressful for young students.
Experts warn that this kind of stress should not be ignored, because it can develop into a more serious _____ problem if left unaddressed.
The report advises parents to pay close attention to changes in their child's _____ when a new school year begins.
Signs of worry can include trouble sleeping, loss of appetite, or reluctance to attend school.
Talking openly with children about their _____ is one of the simplest ways to help them feel supported.
The report also suggests that teachers play an important role by creating a welcoming _____ for new students.
Doctors stress that early _____ is far more effective than waiting until anxiety becomes overwhelming.
The report reminds parents that school anxiety is common and can usually be managed with patience and communication.