Navigating the Transition: Helping Kids Overcome Separation Anxiety as They Return to School
Returning to school can be a significant source of anxiety for many children, as it marks a shift from the familiar comfort of home to a structured environment with new routines and social dynamics. While a lot of children experience nervousness and apprehension around school, some students experience heightened separation anxiety during the back-to-school transition.
Separation anxiety disorder is a mental health diagnosis where children (and even adults) experience excessive fear and worry when separated from an attachment figure. Attachment figures can be parents, grandparents, nannies, or any other important figure in your child’s life.
There is a normal level of nerves all children have when starting school, but separation anxiety is more than common worry. Instead, children can experience more severe symptoms, such as:
Trouble Separating from Caregivers - Kids might have increased distress around separation or being left along
Avoidance of School and New Activities - Children often will avoid activities that might separate them from their caregivers
Excessive Worry of Harm - Kids start to worry that something bad will happen to themselves or their loved one when they are apart
Physical Symptoms - It’s common for anxiety to manifest in physical symptoms, such as stomachaches, headaches, and nausea
Sleep Difficulties - Children may have fears about sleeping alone, chronic nightmares, or trouble falling and staying asleep
Regression - Kids experiencing separation anxiety might also return to an earlier stage of development through their behaviors (e.g., thumb sucking)
Does your child struggle with school drop off? Do they worry that something bad might happen if they’re not around? Do they have chronic stomachaches that send them to the school nurse? If so, it might be worth reaching out for some support. Their pediatrician, school counselor, or a mental health specialist could be a great resource to assess their needs.
Looking for mental health support? Calm Mind Therapy is a mental health counseling center located in Ardmore, PA that specializes in working with children. We can help you and your child navigate the back-to-school transition. Connect with us today!
Written by Emily Earley, LCSW and Therapist at Calm Mind Therapy
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Calm Mind Therapy is a boutique mental health practice located in Ardmore, PA, specializing in the care of children, adolescents, and adults. Our mission is to provide the Main Line with high-quality mental health services for all ages. Our goal is to help our clients achieve emotional well-being and build a life worth living. Serving clients in Ardmore, Bryn Mawr, Wynnewood, Narberth, Radnor, Lower Merion, Haverford, Villanova, Swarthmore, Devon, Berwyn, Malvern, Bala Cynwyd, and more.
