Home and Family     Healthy Kids     Teen Health     K-12    

How parents can tackle back to school avoidance



How parents can tackle back to school avoidance


As the summer draws to a close, the upcoming school year often brings with it a wave of excitement, as well as anticipation and nervousness for children. As a child psychiatrist, Dr. Douglas Newton, Chief Medical Officer at SonderMind has witnessed firsthand the impact that back to school anxiety can have on kids and their families, especially following the COVID pandemic when we were all at home for varying amounts of time. A 2023 study from Nemours Children’s Health found that 86% of school-aged children reported worrying at least some of the time, and that more than 1 in 3 children ages 9-13 worry at least once a week. The biggest worries that children had were about school (64%), which matches what I’ve seen in patients and my own children.

School avoidance, also known as school refusal, is a phenomenon characterized by a child's reluctance or refusal to attend school. By understanding the specific fears and concerns driving a child’s avoidance, parents can develop effective strategies to address and alleviate their child's anxiety.

While school avoidance can be seen at any point during the year, as we approach the first day of school and are thinking about how to best prepare our children for a successful school year, it is an opportune time to explore the causes behind school avoidance, its association with anxiety, and provide strategies for parents to support their children in overcoming these challenges.

Differentiate Anxiety in Your Teens and Younger Children: Teenagers experiencing school avoidance often grapple with worries about their social standing, fear of embarrassment, or feeling singled out by their peers. Social situations that involve larger groups or public areas within the school, such as navigating hallways or eating lunch in the cafeteria, can trigger significant anxiety for them. On the other hand, younger children tend to worry more about being away from their parents or caregivers. Their concerns revolve around "what if" scenarios, such as something happening to their loved ones while they are at school, if someone will forget to pick them up or if someone won’t play with them on the playground. It is crucial for parents to identify and acknowledge these specific fears in order to provide targeted support and reassurance.

Be Proactive: While intervention strategies are vital, prevention also plays a significant role in managing school avoidance. If parents are aware of their child's previous struggles with anxiety and school avoidance, they can implement a preemptive exposure and anxiety reduction plan. This plan should be initiated 2-4 weeks before the start of the new school year. Activities such as visiting the school, locating their locker, meeting their teacher, or having lunch in the cafeteria can help familiarize the child with the school environment and get them ready for that first day. By proactively addressing anxiety and establishing a reward system for attending and staying in school, parents can create a positive association with the school experience.

READ MORE: Child Behavior: Making the shift from pool to school

Talk About It: Be open and honest with your child about your own struggles with anxiety. Did you have a hard time going back to school as a kid? Do you have a hard time preparing yourself for a first day at a new job? In the same study I mention above, researchers found that 67% of kids will go to advice from their parents on the topic of school anxiety, so if parents can talk openly about their own struggles with anxiety, past or present, it can help a child feel less alone and more open to expressing their concerns with you when they arise. 

Be Thoughtful About Reentry: If a child or teenager remains out of school for an extended period, reintegration can become increasingly challenging. To address this issue head on, proactive communication with your school is important. I highly recommend that parents initiate conversations with a principal, teacher, or counselor to devise a personalized "re-entry plan." This usually involves exposing the student to school gradually, say coming to the school office or going in on a weekend or evening when fewer people are around. They can then work up to half days until finally the student feels they have mastered their fears and are more confident and competent to return full-time. I have seen this gradual exposure technique work, especially when coupled with support and rewards. 

Seek Professional Support: In some cases, the anxiety and school avoidance experienced by a child may require additional assistance. Parents should consider involving a mental health professional who can provide specialized support and guidance. SonderMind providers often work with parents throughout the school year on these sorts of issues. A professional can help identify and address the underlying causes of anxiety, develop tailored anxiety management techniques, and collaborate with the school to create an individualized plan for the child's success.

As the world navigates the continued challenges of a post-COVID era, it is essential for us as parents to be attuned to our child's anxiety around returning to school, whether that be on the first day or mid-year. By understanding the distinct fears experienced by teenagers and younger children, parents can implement targeted, thoughtful strategies to alleviate anxiety and encourage regular, uninterrupted school attendance.



Other articles by HVP News Reporters


  • Understanding 'Warning Strokes'

    What to expect if you experience stroke symptoms, even if they disappear

    Diagnosing a transient ischemic attack (TIA), sometimes called a “warning stroke,” can be challenging because symptoms often disappear within an hour. However, it’s important to seek emergency assessment to help prevent a full-blown stroke. read more »
  • Managing your family's year-round health

    Protect everyone from infectious diseases

    According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), vaccines help create protective antibodies that fight off infections. read more »
  • What to know about Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

    treatment can help control symptoms and improve quality of life

    Each year, an estimated 500-1,000 people nationwide are diagnosed with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). While there’s currently no cure, treatment can help control symptoms and improve quality of life. read more »
  • Bring back family bonding this fall

    3 ways to free up busy schedules to spend time with loved ones

    Busy fall schedules often leave little time for the things that matter most – sharing special moments with those you love. This year, as time seems to speed up during another school year, making family bonding a priority in your household can start with a few simple tricks. read more »
  • Top tips for a more organized kitchen

    Save time and money

    Better organization in the kitchen means spending less time searching for the right ingredient or tool so you can have more time for savoring meals with family and friends, and more time for personal pursuits. read more »
  • 6 small, kind gestures to make a big impact each day

    Performing acts of kindness improves individual well-being

    Everywhere you look, you can see moments of kindness. From a friend sending a thoughtful text message to a stranger holding the bus for someone running late or a person paying for someone else’s coffee, acts of kindness happen every day. read more »
  • Keeping babies safe

    Tips to help prevent some of the biggest dangers

    Tips to help prevent some of the biggest dangers for babies include safe sleeping habits, product recalls, baby proofing & car safety read more »
  • Tips to get tour student prepped for college entrance exams

    Help get your teen ready

    Is the SAT or ACT on the horizon for your high schooler? A lot of emphasis is placed on college entrance exams, and your child may be anxious about their scores. read more »
  • More than two-thirds of Americans plan to get a flu shot this season

    CVS Pharmacy® and MinuteClinic® encourage consumers to get an annual flu shot and stay up to date on routine vaccinations

    CVS Health® (NYSE: CVS) is prepared to meet patients' vaccination and other preventive health care needs as flu season approaches. CVS Pharmacy® and MinuteClinic® are offering the annual flu vaccine at locations nationwide. CVS Pharmacy is also offering the new respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine, which has been approved for adults ages 60 and up. read more »
  • 10 phrases to say to children every day

    Instill valuable life skills and boost their self-esteem

    As parents, you play a pivotal role in shaping your child’s character, confidence, and overall development. Every interaction is an opportunity to instill valuable life skills and boost their self-esteem. read more »