Curated News
By: NewsRamp Editorial Staff
August 01, 2026
Back-to-School Anxiety: Expert Tips to Help Kids Thrive
TLDR
- Parents can gain a competitive edge by using these expert tips to help their children excel in the new school year.
- Robert Alexander of NYIT explains anxiety reduction through preparation, routines, and breathing techniques for back-to-school transitions.
- Helping children manage school anxiety builds resilience and confidence, creating a more supportive and emotionally healthy future generation.
- A survey reveals 64% of children's worries are school-related, and slow breathing (inhale 4, exhale 6) can calm them.
Impact - Why it Matters
This news matters because it addresses a common yet often overlooked issue: children's anxiety about returning to school. With 64% of worries being school-related, parents and educators need strategies to support kids' mental health. By understanding the signs and using preparation techniques, adults can help children build resilience and confidence, which are crucial for academic and personal success. This guidance empowers families to create a positive start to the school year, reducing stress for everyone involved.
Summary
As summer fades, the back-to-school season brings both excitement and anxiety for many children. A recent survey by Nemours highlights that 64% of children's worries are school-related. Cognitive neuroscientist Robert Alexander, Ph.D., an assistant professor at New York Institute of Technology, explains that our brains are prediction machines, and the start of a new school year disrupts many predictions at once—new routines, environments, and social dynamics. This can be especially overwhelming for anxiety-prone children, who may express their stress indirectly through changes in sleep, irritability, or social withdrawal.
Alexander advises parents to help children prepare by visiting the school, discussing routines, and gradually re-establishing bedtimes. He emphasizes the importance of sleep for emotional regulation and stress resilience. Parents also set the emotional tone; responding with calm confidence can reassure children. Simple breathing techniques, like inhaling for four seconds and exhaling for six, can help children manage overwhelming feelings in the moment. However, Alexander cautions against eliminating all anxiety, as facing challenges builds resilience—confidence grows through small wins, like introducing oneself to a new friend or finding a classroom. For those needing extra support, New York Tech experts offer guidance. To learn more, visit nyit.edu.
Source Statement
This curated news summary relied on content disributed by NewsUSA. Read the original source here, Back-to-School Anxiety: Expert Tips to Help Kids Thrive
