Category: <span>School</span>

Anxiety School • By Jeffrey LaPonsie 0 Comments

Battling Back to School Anxiety: Strategies for a Smooth Transition

As summer vacations come to an end, the anticipation of returning to school can be both exciting and anxiety-inducing. For many students, parents, and even teachers, the start of a new school year can trigger a wave of back-to-school anxiety. This anxiety is a common and normal response to change and uncertainty, but it’s essential to address it to ensure a smooth transition. In this blog post, we’ll explore what back-to-school anxiety is, its common causes, and strategies to cope with and conquer it.

Understanding Back-to-School Anxiety

Back-to-school anxiety is a psychological and emotional response to the impending start of a new academic year. It can affect students of all ages, parents, and even educators. This anxiety often stems from various sources, such as:

  1. Academic Pressure: The fear of falling behind in studies or struggling with coursework can be a significant trigger for students. The pressure to excel academically can be overwhelming.
  2. Social Concerns: Worries about fitting in, making new friends, or dealing with social pressures can lead to anxiety. For some, the fear of bullying or rejection can be particularly distressing.
  3. Transitions: Starting a new school, moving to a higher grade, or transitioning from elementary to middle school or middle to high school can be daunting, as it involves adapting to new environments and routines.
  4. Separation Anxiety: Younger children may experience separation anxiety from their parents or caregivers when they have to spend long hours away from home for the first time.
  5. Performance Anxiety: Teachers and educators may also experience anxiety related to their classroom responsibilities, curriculum planning, and meeting educational goals.

Strategies to Tackle Back-to-School Anxiety

  1. Open Communication: Encourage open and honest conversations with your child about their concerns. Listen actively and empathetically, validate their feelings, and provide reassurance. Reassure them that it’s normal to feel anxious, and that you’re there to support them.
  2. Gradual Adjustment: Start adjusting to the school routine a few weeks before the academic year begins. Gradually shift bedtime and wake-up times to align with the school schedule, and introduce a consistent daily routine.
  3. Familiarize Yourself: Visit the school with your child if possible, especially if they’re entering a new school. Familiarity with the school environment can ease their anxiety.
  4. Set Realistic Expectations: Discuss academic goals and set achievable expectations. Emphasize the importance of effort and personal growth over perfection.
  5. Teach Coping Strategies: Teach your child relaxation techniques like deep breathing, mindfulness, or meditation. These can help manage anxiety when it arises.
  6. Encourage Social Interaction: Encourage your child to engage in extracurricular activities or social events to make friends and build a support system.
  7. Lead by Example: Parents and educators can set a positive example by managing their stress effectively. Demonstrating resilience and coping strategies can inspire children to do the same.
  8. Seek Professional Help: If anxiety persists and significantly affects daily life, consider consulting a mental health professional who specializes in child and adolescent anxiety disorders.

Back-to-school anxiety is a common experience for students, parents, and teachers alike. While it may be a natural response to change, it’s essential to address it proactively. By employing the strategies mentioned above and fostering open communication, we can help our children and ourselves navigate the transition back to school with confidence and resilience. Remember that with time, patience, and support, back-to-school anxiety can be overcome, allowing everyone to embrace the new academic year with enthusiasm and positivity

Jeff LaPonsie LMSW
jeff laponsie LMSW kalamazoo therapy

Jeff LaPonsie is a clinical social worker at Kalamazoo Child and Family Counseling, PLLC. He provides counseling to children and families in the Kalamazoo, Portage, Mattawan, and South West Michigan areas. He is passionate about helping challenging children and frustrated parents. Jeff has over seven years of experience working with at-risk youth. His clinical expertise includes working with children with behavioral, anxiety, attachment, and trauma-related disorders.

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Parenting School • By Jeffrey LaPonsie 0 Comments

A Smooth Transition: Preparing Kids for Back to School with Schedules and Bedtime

As summer draws to a close and the familiar scent of new school supplies fills the air, it’s time for parents and guardians to start thinking about the upcoming school year. One key aspect of a successful transition back to the classroom is establishing solid routines, including schedules and bedtime. In this blog post, we’ll explore the importance of routines in a child’s academic success and provide practical tips on how to prepare your kids for the return to school with well-structured schedules and consistent bedtime routines.

The Power of Routines

Routines are the building blocks of stability and consistency in a child’s life. They provide a sense of security and predictability, which is particularly crucial during times of change, such as the transition from summer vacation to school. Establishing routines helps children develop self-discipline, time management skills, and a strong work ethic. It also contributes to better mental and emotional well-being by reducing stress and anxiety.

Gradual Schedule Adjustment

To ease the transition from lazy summer days to the structured school environment, consider gradually adjusting your child’s schedule a couple of weeks before school starts. Start by moving bedtime and wake-up time closer to their school routine. Adjust mealtimes and playtimes accordingly as well. This approach helps children adapt to the new schedule without feeling rushed or overwhelmed.  The use of a visual calendar can be helpful for younger children.

Set a Consistent Bedtime

Sleep is essential for a child’s growth, development, and overall well-being. According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, school-aged children (6-12 years old) need 9-12 hours of sleep each night. Establish a consistent bedtime that allows your child to get the recommended amount of sleep. Consistency is key; going to bed and waking up at the same times every day helps regulate their internal body clock.  We’ve written about bedtime before, children getting a good night’s sleep is critical for their school success.

Create a Relaxing Bedtime Routine

A soothing bedtime routine signals to your child that it’s time to wind down and prepare for sleep. Consider activities such as reading a book together, taking a warm bath, or practicing deep breathing exercises. Minimize screen time at least an hour before bedtime, as the blue light emitted by electronic devices has been shown to get in the way of getting quality shut-eye!  Bedtime rituals are a wonderful way to add moments of calmness and connection just as kids close out their day.

Plan Ahead for Mornings

Mornings can often be a rush, with last-minute searches for missing shoes or unfinished homework. Make mornings smoother by preparing the night before. Lay out clothes, pack backpacks, and have lunches ready to go. This not only saves time but also reduces stress for both you and your child.

Involve Your Child

Engage your child in the process of setting up their schedules and bedtime routines. This gives them a sense of ownership and responsibility, making them more likely to adhere to the routines. Discuss the importance of sleep and how it affects their ability to learn, play, and stay healthy.

Conclusion

As the school year approaches, creating structured schedules and consistent bedtime routines is an investment in your child’s success and well-being. Routines provide the framework for a smooth transition from the carefree days of summer to the demands of the academic year. By gradually adjusting schedules, setting consistent bedtimes, creating relaxing bedtime routines, planning ahead for mornings, and involving your child in the process, you’ll pave the way for a positive and successful school experience. Remember, the key to a successful routine is consistency, patience, and a dash of creativity to make the process enjoyable for both you and your child.

Jeff LaPonsie LMSW
jeff laponsie LMSW kalamazoo therapy

Jeff LaPonsie is a clinical social worker at Kalamazoo Child and Family Counseling, PLLC. He provides counseling to children and families in the Kalamazoo, Portage, Mattawan, and South West Michigan areas. He is passionate about helping challenging children and frustrated parents. Jeff has over seven years of experience working with at-risk youth. His clinical expertise includes working with children with behavioral, anxiety, attachment, and trauma-related disorders.

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back to school kalamazoo child therapy
Parenting School • By Jeffrey LaPonsie 0 Comments

Back to School: 3 tips to help kids be ready

Winter break is a wonderful time of year for children to enjoy time with family and friends. It’s also a time to celebrate the holidays their family’s special traditions. Winter break is an exciting and energizing time that is often filled with spontaneity, relaxed schedules, and lowered expectations. For children that struggle with transitions, or benefit from schedules, it can be very difficult to get kids back on track and excited to go back to school.

Here are three tips for parents to help their child be ready for back to school.

#1 Talk to your child about and prepare for the upcoming schedule change

Letting kids know about upcoming schedule changes saves loads of stress. The hustle and bustle of the holidays leaves many kids wondering what’s next. Making sure there are no surprises for children in their schedule helps them anticipate and mentally prepare. Taking some time to prepare and put out clothing the night before the first day back helps the transition back to school go more smoothly.

#2 Readjust sleep and wake times

Getting kids to wake up in time for the morning bus doesn’t need to be a fight. Preparing kids to go back to school after winter break should include getting them to bed at a set time, so that they can wake up when they need to. Starting a sleep routine that prepares kids to wake up with a ready-to-learn attitude is great way to have kids return to school. Kids with predictable bedtimes wake up predictably. If your child has been staying up and sleeping in, helping them get their schedule back on track will help lessen the shock of back to school.

# 3 Discuss and be excited about learning

Fostering excitement and passion for learning is a great way to get kids ready to go back to school. Talking to your child about their friends, class, and what they were learning about before break communicates to them that school is important. Showing excitement and enthusiasm for school will also get your child ready to head back with a positive attitude.

jeff laponsie LMSW kalamazoo

Jeff LaPonsie LMSW

Jeff LaPonsie is a clinical social worker at Kalamazoo Child and Family Counseling, PLLC. He provides counseling to children and families in the Kalamazoo, Portage, Mattawan, and South West Michigan area. He is passionate about helping challenging children and frustrated parents. Jeff has over seven years of experience working with at risk youth. His clinical expertise includes working with children with behavioral, anxiety, attachment and trauma related disorders.

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problems paying attention in school - ADHD or Anxiety?
Anxiety School • • • By Jeffrey LaPonsie 0 Comments

Problems paying attention in school – Is it ADHD or Anxiety?

Your child is having problems paying attention in school.  The teachers are concerned because your child doesn’t seem to be able to focus in class.   He seems to need to have instructions read to him multiple times.  Your child’s school just has you on speed dial about his level of activity. The school talks about how impulsive or active he is.  He blows up over minor problems and its getting in the way of making friends, or doing well in class.  By now a couple of people in your child’s life have talked to you about Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).  When children have ADHD their difficulty attending is due to a neurological condition.

Some children who have problems paying attention in school have Attention Deficit Hyper Activity Disorder:

ADHD is a common neurological condition in children which impacts their ability to attend or focus. The overlap between anxiety and ADHD symptoms is often overlooked.  Anxiety symptoms are often mistaken for signs of ADHD—this is especially true in young, elementary age boys.  While the inability to concentrate or sit still may at first look appear to be ADHD, the question of why your child cannot attend is important.

ADHD or Anxiety – Why children have Problems paying attention in School?

The root of your child’s inability to attend is one of the most important questions parents, families, and teachers can ask—why is my child having problems paying attention in school? Concentration problems that stem from anxiety are rooted in emotion.  Children with anxiety are preoccupied by worry or are busy anticipating what is coming next.  These children’s preoccupation with the future or what could happen is not compatible with what is happening right now—kids who are worrying have trouble concentrating or listening.

Symptoms of inattention, distraction, fidgetiness and what appears to be boredom may actually be signs of anxiety.

Helping children who have problems paying attention in school

The help and support that children with anxiety need as opposed to children with ADHD is different.  Counseling for children with anxiety often involves evaluating anxious thoughts, helping kids feel safe, and avoiding reinforcing avoidance or providing reassurance which reinforces anxious thoughts or avoidant behavior.

It can be incredibly difficult to tell when children who are having trouble concentrating at school are suffering from anxiety or ADHD.  When parents and teachers are uncertain mental health professionals can assist in parsing the two apart, or knowing when both mental health problems may be coming in play with challenging children in the class room.

 

jeff laponsie LMSW kalamazoo

 

 

 

 

Jeff LaPonsie LMSW

Jeff LaPonsie is a clinical social worker at Kalamazoo Child and Family Counseling, PLLC. He provides counseling to children and families in the Kalamazoo, Portage, South West Michigan area. He is passionate about helping challenging children and frustrated parents. Jeff has over seven years of experience working with at risk youth. His clinical expertise includes working with children with behavioral, anxiety, attachment and trauma related disorders.

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Child Anxiety Therapist Portage MI
Anxiety School • • By Jeffrey LaPonsie 0 Comments

Helping Children with back to school Anxiety

Back to School Anxiety

The first day of school is an exciting time for children and parents. The sudden change in routine, mixed with the demands of the classroom can be tough on kids and their parents.  The hustle and bustle of getting ready for school on time and preparing to separate from mom or dad can amplify stress and anxiety for kids.  Separating for some children can be very challenging and incrediably distressing. For children who are already anxious, here are five ways to help relieve back to school anxiety.

Meet the Teacher

One of the biggest fears that anxious children have when they are going to a new class room is will I like my new teacher? Many schools prior to the start of the school year have a social night for new students to become acquainted with their new teacher, and classroom.  For children with anxiety reducing the unknown of who they will be spending their school day with prior to the start of the school year can help.

Tour the School

For children going to a school for the first time, or even a new room spending some extra time before school start tour the school is important. Knowing where their class or classes are before they’re expected to be “on-time” can reduce the panic of getting lost.  Some familiarity with the layout of the school will help ease some of the anxiety of going back to school but also help them have something to look forward to.

Prepare Sleep and Wake Routines

During summertime children sleep schedules relax. Bedtime in the summer is more flexible and adjusts for the energy spent during the day and the plans for tomorrow.  When school starts the importance of re-establishing a consistent bedtime is important.  The routine of knowing when bedtime is and when they wake up helps anxious children plan out their mornings and avoid feeling rushed in the morning.  Getting children ready for their school-year bedtime is good to start the week before school starts to help them adjust so that’s it one less change during the start of the school year.

Let children know what to expect

Along with having a consistent bed time, it is helpful for children with anxiety to have a clear plan of what expect during the school week. This includes knowing when the alarm is going off, when the school bus arrives, to when lunch and dismissal is.  For children who don’t read time, simply knowing the order of things helps the day become more predictable.

Talk to your child his or her feelings

Most importantly talk to your child about how they are feeling about school starting. What are they worried about, what are they excited about?  This is something that is helpful to do at the start of the school year and through the entire year.  Helping children talk about their worries helps them process and plan.  Checking in with them regularly (daily) is important help them handle anxiety in the moment, but also know before small problems become big problems.  Connecting with children about their anxiety with school gives them someone to go to when they need help.

 If you’d like to talk with someone about your child’s school anxiety contact us now for a free consultation.

jeff laponsie LMSW kalamazoo

 

 

 

 

 

Jeff LaPonsie LMSW

Jeff LaPonsie is a clinical social worker at Kalamazoo Child and Family Counseling, PLLC. He provides counseling to children and families in the Kalamazoo, Portage, and South West Michigan area. He is passionate about helping challenging children and frustrated parents. Jeff has over seven years of experience working with at risk youth. His clinical expertise includes working with children with behavioral, anxiety, attachment and trauma related disorders.

Read more