Helping Students Start the School Year with Confidence

Going back to school can bring excitement, nerves, stress, or uncertainty. A new environment, class schedule, teachers, and routine can create a mix of emotions for both children and parents/caregivers. Remember, it’s completely normal to feel more than one emotion at the same time. There isn’t a “right” way to feel, and talking about those emotions can help everyone feel more prepared for the start of the school year.

Recognize Feelings Before School Starts

Everyone experiences emotions about school differently, which is why it’s important to check in with your child before school begins. Creating a safe space for open conversations can help your child feel heard and supported. Try using conversation starters like:

“How are you feeling about going back to school?”

“It’s okay if going back to school feels hard this year. I would probably feel that way too.”

“What feels hard about the start of the year? What feels exciting? It’s normal to have different feelings about the same thing.”

“I noticed you haven’t talked much about school starting. That’s okay. If you ever want to talk about it, I’m here.”

“It’s always okay to ask for help, and you can always come to me.”

Another way to support your child is by helping them recognize and name the emotions they are experiencing. One fun activity is to create a family emotions check in board for the first few weeks of the school year.

Using a poster board, create pockets with construction paper labeled with different feelings such as happy, worried, excited, proud, frustrated, and sad. Decorate one popsicle stick for each family member, and invite everyone to place their stick in the pocket that best matches how they are feeling throughout the day. Check in together in the morning, after school, and before bed. These regular check-ins help normalize conversations about emotions and encourage family members to identify feelings and discuss what may be causing them.

Build Routines That Help You Feel Prepared

Establishing routines before the first day can help both children and parents/caregivers feel more prepared and reduce stress. Some helpful routines include:

Start bedtime routines early.
Practice your morning routine before school begins.
If possible, visit the school ahead of time to become familiar with the building and surroundings.
Organize supplies and pack backpacks in advance.

Routines help reduce stress because they make each day more predictable and help children know what to expect.

Healthy Ways to Manage Back to School Stress

Some school related stress is normal. Helping your child build healthy coping skills can prepare them to manage stress when/if it happens. Encourage strategies such as:

Deep breathing
Taking short breaks when needed
Talking with a trusted adult
Using positive self talk
Staying physically active

Remind your child that everyone experiences stress sometimes. Building confidence comes from learning how to cope with challenges, not from striving for perfection. Most importantly, let them know they never have to handle difficult feelings alone.

Teach Your Child to Look Out for Themselves and Others

As children return to school, it’s important to have conversations about looking out for both themselves and their peers. Topics to discuss include:

Bullying
Helping a friend who may be struggling
Knowing when something feels more serious
Warning signs of mental health concerns
The importance of talking to a trusted adult

These conversations help children understand that asking for help is a sign of strength and that they can make a positive difference in someone else’s life.

Parents/Caregivers: Check in With Yourselves

The start of the school year can be just as stressful for parents/caregivers as it is for children. Taking care of your own mental health allows you to better support your child during this time of year. Pay attention to signs that you may need additional support, including:

Low energy
Feeling distant, foggy, cloudy, or not like yourself
Feeling fearful about your child attending school
Difficulty sleeping
Feeling down or sad most of the day
Feeling unusually worried, irritated, or overwhelmed by back to school responsibilities
Trouble concentrating
Difficulty making decisions
Losing interest in activities you normally enjoy
Feeling guilt or shame about how you’re managing your responsibilities as a parent/caregiver, partner, friend, or employee

Remember, taking care of yourself is an important part of taking care of your family.

When Should You Be Concerned?

It’s normal for children to have some back to school jitters. For many, those feelings improve as they settle into a routine. However, if you notice your child’s worries are lasting it may be a sign they need additional support.

As a parent/caregiver, you know your child best. If something doesn’t feel right, don’t hesitate to start a conversation or reach out for help.

Mental Health Checklist

As the school year begins, check in with yourself and your child.

Are we getting enough sleep?
Are we eating regular meals and staying hydrated?
Have we talked about how we’re feeling?
Do we have a consistent morning and bedtime routine?
Are we balancing school, activities, screen time, and downtime?
Does my child know who their trusted adults are at school and at home?
Do we know healthy ways to cope with stress if it comes up?

If you need help, reach out to LUK’s Central Referral team to help you find additional resources and support.

Resources and References

Click the links below for additional resources and references.

Community Choice Pediatrics: Preparing Kids Emotionally for the New School Year

National Alliance on Mental Health: Parents and Caregiver Resources

PBS Kids for Parents: Five Ways to Beat Back-to-School Jitters

The Mental Health Coalition: Road map to back to school mental health

Stop Stigma: 5 Ways to Get Students Prepared for a Mentally Strong School Year

The Kids Mental Health Foundation: Back-to-School Mental Health Checklist