Separation anxiety is one of the biggest fears many young students have when going to school full-time; preschool, kindergarten and first grade students often experience separation anxiety. A child who realizes that he will not have his parents with him during the day often experiences this type of anxiety, which can result in crying, misbehavior and throwing fits in an attempt to resist this separation. Helping a child deal with separation anxiety can be difficult.
Separation anxiety can sometimes last well beyond the first day of school. However, the first day is usually the worst which makes it especially important to prepare the student for future days. Remain calm and positive about school and do not drag out the drop-off process, according to Education Magazine. If possible, visit the school several times before the first day and introduce the student to her teacher or a classmate, so that she has a familiar face.
Although older students are unlikely to experience separation anxiety, first day of school anxiety is very common among students of all ages. Going back to school for a new year, with new teachers, new subjects and sometimes even a new school, if the family has moved are all things that contribute to a student's anxiety. There are things both parents and students can do to overcome this feeling of nervousness on the first day.
Talking about why a student is anxious can help him overcome that fear; if he is nervous about meeting new teachers, going into school to meet them beforehand can be helpful. Remind students that most other children are experiencing the same anxiety. Encourage him to sit with a friend on the bus and in classrooms, so that he is not alone throughout the day and can ask his friend for help if he needs it.
Anxiety on the first day of school is a normal and natural part of the student's process of becoming independent from the parents while learning to navigate a social circle. Balancing all of the changes that each new school year brings can be hard for students, especially if they are shy. Help students to overcome their fears by encouraging them to join in with extra-curricular activities and participate actively during classroom discussions.