Building resilience: helping kids handle back-to-school stress

As summer ends and the new school year begins, many kids feel a mix of excitement and nervousness. Going back to school means new routines, subjects, and sometimes, worries. But this time of year is also a chance to build resilience, which means staying strong and bouncing back from challenges. Here’s how parents can help kids get ready for the school year and handle stress like pros.

Developing a Resilient Mindset

One great way to help your child manage back-to-school stress is to teach them about resilience. Resilience means being able to handle challenges and keep going. Help your child see the new school year as a chance to grow and learn new things. Talk about how facing challenges can help them become stronger and more confident.

Remind them of times when they’ve faced difficulties before and how they managed to overcome them. By focusing on their past successes, you can help them feel more confident about handling new challenges.

Teaching Coping Skills

Teaching your child some coping skills can make a big difference when they’re feeling stressed. Help them understand how to recognize worry and anxiety and model how to use exercises like deep breathing, mindfulness, and positive thinking to stay calm. For example, when they’re feeling anxious, ask them to describe what they’re feeling in their body, and show them how to take deep breaths to help them relax.

You can also create a “coping kit” together with items like stress balls, calming music, or a favorite book. This kit can be a helpful tool when they’re feeling overwhelmed. Make sure to talk regularly about their feelings, and take the time to validate and normalize those emotions. Let your child know that it’s perfectly normal to feel anxious, stressed, or even a little scared during times of change. By normalizing these emotions, you help them understand that stress is a typical part of life and something they can manage. This approach teaches children to accept their feelings and equips them with the skills to handle stress in a healthy way.

Problem-Solving Skills

Another important part of being resilient is learning how to solve problems. Work with your child to figure out ways to handle challenges. For example, if they’re worried about a tough subject at school, help them break down the problem and come up with a plan to improve.

Encourage your child to think of challenges as problems they can solve. Celebrate their efforts and progress to help them believe in their ability to tackle difficulties. This will help them feel more confident in handling future challenges.

Healthy Habits

Good habits are important for handling stress and staying resilient. Make sure your child gets enough sleep, eats healthy foods, and gets regular exercise. These habits help them feel their best.

Include physical activities in your family routine, like walking, sports, or yoga. These activities can help reduce stress and build resilience. Also, set a good example by following these healthy habits yourself, as kids often mirror what their parents do.

Building a Support Network

Having a strong support network can really help your child. Encourage them to make friends, connect with teachers, and find other supportive people in their life. Being part of a positive community can give them extra help and encouragement when they need it.

Stay involved in your child’s school life and keep in touch with their teachers. This way, you can be aware of any issues and work together to support your child. You might also want to join parent groups to share tips and support with other families.

While returning to school can bring its share of stress, it also offers a valuable chance for your child to build resilience and grow. By helping them develop a positive outlook, practice effective coping strategies, tackle problems, and maintain healthy habits, you’re helping to set them up for success.