Colman Noctor: Return to school brings a wave of anxiety

Returning to school after an unstructured summer of freedom can stir up deep emotional responses, particularly in those who have experienced anxiety in the past. While some level of nervousness in the first few days is natural and to be expected, persistent or intense feelings of worry often signal a more profound challenge.

Childhood anxiety related to a return to school can manifest in various ways, including difficulty sleeping, stomach aches or irritability on school nights, or the avoidance of school altogether. Children experience anxiety relating to school for many reasons, and these can include academic pressures, social concerns, fear of new routines, or separation from their parents or caregivers.

When I meet a child who is experiencing school-related anxiety, I ask if the source of their worries is:

• A. The level of difficulty of the school work;
• B. The peer group and social environment;
• C. The teachers of the staff in the school community;
• D. A fear of leaving the safety at home.

In some cases, the child will say it is all the above, but usually, some aspects of school life are more concerning than others, offering an insight into where they might need support. Worries are often amplified if the child has previously struggled with anxiety in school. Many parents describe how children seem to integrate over a school year. However, the same fears and worries can re-emerge when September rolls around again.

The incidence of school avoidance has been rising in recent years, although not always associated with anxiety. A report by the Centre for Social Justice in Britain found that during the final term of 2022, absence levels increased by 50% compared to when the pandemic first caused a rise in autumn 2020. I would estimate that similar patterns are evident here in Ireland.

There is little doubt that post-pandemic transitions added layers of complexity, with children and families still grappling with the aftereffects of social isolation, hybrid learning, and lingering health fears.

Changing routine anxiety

So why do children experience an increase in anxiety at the start of the school year?

Dramatic changes in routine are a possible cause. The return of early wake-up times, homework, and busy extracurricular schedules may feel overwhelming. Some argue that the summer break is too long and contributes to the difficult transition back to school and the school routine.

However, gradually returning to the full school schedule might be a more advisable solution. Primary schools with shorter days in the first week after the summer see the benefits for students. And a small intervention like a ‘no homework for September’ initiative might also ease a child back in.

Academic pressure is another reason children worry at the start of the school year. While I understand the rationale for getting them focused for the year ahead, especially in a state exam year, histrionics about these exams’ importance are unhelpful. I have heard of students being told in the first week back that they “only have 30 more Fridays before your Leaving Cert exams” and similar statements. While I have no doubt these warnings are aimed at complacent students, it tends to be the diligent and concerned ones who take these statements on board.

Concerns about school performance, fear of failure, and perfectionism have become more evident in recent years. These are common sources of anxiety for students who worry they will not live up to expectations—either their own or others. While a few years ago, it was not unusual to hear students expressing worry in September about their potential performance in the Junior or Leaving Cert exams, more recently, young people I’ve spoken to describe a similar level of distress when they talk about their performance in first and second year.

Navigating the social dynamics of the school environment is another source of school anxiety. Many children fear making friends, fitting in, or facing potential bullying. The most protective aspect for a child navigating the school environment is a sense of belonging and connection. We need to see the potential value of these relationships over the longer term and include more opportunities for children to mix and connect. Prioritising interpersonal opportunities over academic outcomes will pay dividends in the longer term.

Separation anxiety is an explanation for school avoidance. It’s especially true for younger children who are very attached to their parents or caregivers.

The intensity of this relationship means that being apart from their attachment figure during the school day can trigger deep-seated anxiety. This response is common among children who have faced disruptions in their early school experiences or after long breaks from in-person education. Since the pandemic, I have seen many more cases of separation anxiety in older children and teens who missed out on critical developmental opportunities.

Create a sense of security

So, how can you support a child who is experiencing anxiety about attending school?

Understanding the root of a child’s anxiety is the first step to addressing it. This requires open communication, encouraging the child to talk about their feelings and listening without judgment so they feel supported. This approach might seem simple, but many parents struggle with it. For example, if a child tells a parent they don’t want to go to school because they find it ‘too hard’, many will jump in with comments like, ‘but you are really bright, you are well able for school work’. While this is well intended, it often dismisses their worries and causes the child to shut down. If the parent can hold off jumping in with solutions or counterarguments, they have a far better chance of their child feeling heard and opening up.

As anxiety is essentially ‘the fear of the unknown’, it is crucial to create some predictability. Establishing a consistent routine at home can provide a sense of security. Things like setting regular times for meals, sleep, and activities can seem somewhat superficial. Still, they can go a long way to reducing a child’s anxiety by making life more predictable.

While the school environment can be difficult to influence or control, you can always help the child feel better equipped to manage these challenges.

I have recently started breathing exercises and breathing work with young clients. I have heard others speak positively about mindfulness or visualisation techniques, which can also assist children in managing their anxiety in moments of stress. Encouraging positive self-talk can also help children reframe their thoughts when worry sets in.

Celebrate the small successes, whether it’s finishing a piece of homework or getting through a tough school day, and remind children that effort is more important than flawless performance.

Despite making interventions, anxiety can persist in some cases and become unmanageable without additional help. School counsellors and therapists can offer support and guidance, helping children and parents navigate severe anxiety. However, this is rarely a quick fix and may require considerable effort from the school, parents, treating clinician, and child to overcome.

Empathy goes a long way in this challenging process. While it’s best to avoid long periods where a child does not go to school, as this can create more significant problems in the longer term, parents and teachers need to remember that anxiety is not something a child can “snap out of”; it’s a real and overwhelming experience that requires patience, understanding, and support.

By validating their feelings, equipping them with coping strategies, and providing consistent reassurance, we can help children manage their anxiety and attend school. It is not about eliminating fear from their school lives but learning to manage it in a way that allows them to grow and learn.

• Dr Colman Noctor is a child psychotherapist