Over 7 million students return to school. Here is expert advice for turning agitation into a resource.
With the end of summer the alarm clocks go back on for over 7 million Italian students, and in the backpack, together with books and school supplies, the anxiety of returning is also embedded.
It is often thought that the main fear concerns grades or homework, but there are other causes that weigh more heavily on children, and the discomfort changes face as they grow. In the youngest, the difficulty in detaching from their parents and the classic somatized symptoms (such as stomach ache or headache) prevail, while in adolescents, comparison with peers and the fear of social judgment explodes.»
«It is normal for agitation, irritability or worry to appear in the days before returning“, explains Floriana Bitto, Doctor in clinical psychology and learning expert Lamba Study Center. «After more than two months of vacation, the kids move from a much freer routine to a context made up of schedules, requests, relationships and evaluations. Within certain levels, anxiety represents an adaptive response: it prepares one to face a new or perceived as challenging situation».
You don’t need to eliminate anxiety, but learn to manage it.
You can start by gradually restoring your sleep times a few days before, transform packing your backpack into a shared moment and create small positive family rituals to accompany your return with serenity, such as having breakfast together or choosing clothes the night before
In most cases the agitation dissipates spontaneously after the first few weeks of class. However, it is important to pay attention if there are prolonged signs such as continuous insomnia, crying or panic attacks, social isolation or a sudden drop in performance. The alarm bell rings when discomfort begins to interfere heavily with everyday life.
Listen without minimizing
When faced with children’s uncertainties, the most common mistake is to try to reassure them by belittling the problem. Seemingly harmless phrases risk making the boy feel not understood. It is much more useful to recognize the child’s emotion and help him understand what is really bothering him.
Making constant comparisons with siblings or classmates and focusing attention solely on grades can increase stress and the fear of disappointing parents’ expectations.
The key to starting the new school year on the right foot remains mutual support. As Dr. Bitto concludes: «The most important message that every boy should receive is that he doesn’t have to prove everything on the first day. There may be difficulties, but he has the resources to face them and he will not be alone in facing them.”
