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Worries about coming to school

Worries About Returning To School

School is about lessons and so much more!

Time away from school, friends, and in-class learning should always be avoided - school time is precious.

We understand that some children and parents do get anxious about school.

For children, it can be hard to understand and communicate these feelings of anxiety and worry. 

If you, or your child, is having worries about attending school, please talk it through with the school. They will have the expertise to help.

Read on for tips for helping your child overcome anxiety around coming to school.

Communication is key

Talk to your child. Make sure that your child knows that talking to you is a safe space. Find a quiet time to chat without any distractions so you can listen carefully.

Conversation starters can help. You can use stories or look at social media posts about our Attendance Campaign to start the conversation.

Let your child know that their feelings are valid and encourage them to try and explain how they feel.

For younger children, help them name their feelings. For example, you could say, “When I feel scared, I get a knot in my tummy. Maybe you feel scared about going back to school. How does it make you feel?”

Check in with your child every day to see how they are feeling. You can use visuals like traffic lights, numbers, or happy, straight, and sad faces to help.