ANSWER: Back-to-school season can be an exciting time for students and parents. It's an educational milestone and another step closer to graduation, college or joining the workforce.
As you have experienced, going back to school also can cause a lot of stress and anxiety. Most people get nervous when they face changes. Kids may worry about attending a new school, adjusting to a new grade, being accepted by classmates and teachers, getting good grades, or leaving the safety and familiarity of home.
Talk about their worries. You can help by reassuring your children that anxious feelings are common and encouraging them to talk about what causes them. Whenthink about or practice doing the things that make them anxious, they can learn to cope better with their feelings. Develop a good sleep routine. On average, children ages 6-13 require nine to 11 hours of sleep each night. Children who are 13-17 should get eight to 10a night. Develop consistent sleep routines so your students can mentally and emotionally prepare for bedtime. For example, put all electronics away one hour before bedtime, and keep charging stations away from bedrooms to decrease distractions.