The most wonderful time of the year?

In a few weeks most kids will be going back to school, or even starting at a new one. It can be an exciting time, but also an anxious one, so how can we help, asks Lisa Salmon

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When we're enjoying the long, lazy sunny days of early August, school — and all its accompanying worries and drama — can feel a wonderfully long way away. But as the weeks tick by and September approaches apace, even the most carefree children can find themselves fretting about the new school year ahead. They might be worrying about making friends, coping with schoolwork or exams, or simply saying goodbye to the freedom of the summer holidays: whatever the reason, taking the time to work through it with them is the first step to helping make this a fun time rather than a stressful one. 'The time off might have eased academic pressure or provided a break from difficult situations children are facing at school,' says Stevie Goulding from young people's mental-health charity, YoungMinds. 'It can be quite common for a child to be anxious about going back to school, but there are some signs to look out. Trust your instincts, and reach out for help if you need it.' So, what are the signs to look out for, and what can parents and carers do to help?

1 Reassure them their feelings are normal

'It’s very normal for children to feel anxious about going back or starting school,' says British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) accredited psychotherapist Heidi Soholt. 'Anxiety is often triggered by the prospect of change, and children are just as vulnerable to this as adults are.

2 Explain their feelings will soon change

Soholt adds: 'Anxiety is about the unknown and will usually settle once a child becomes more familiar with school. It may be helpful to explain this to your child, perhaps using your own examples of how anxiety can build and then drop away after getting used to a new situation.'

3 Tell them even their teachers might feel anxious