Returning to school can cause anxiety, UAE experts warn

Madeeha Afridi, counselling psychologist at the LightHouse Arabia clinic in Dubai, said it is natural for children to feel anxious when they begin a new term. Reem Mohammed / The National

ABU DHABI // Psychologists have urged parents to take measures to help their children adapt to returning to school after the long summer break.

Dr Amy Bailey, a clinical psychologist at KidsFirst Medical Centre in Dubai, said it is hard for children to adjust to studying after the holidays.

Many suffer from anxiety, sleep disorders and learning difficulties when they return, she said.

“The common complaints are a disorganised sleeping pattern and regressed learning attitude,” Dr Bailey said.

“There are complaints about some children who are anxious about changes associated with the school year, especially having been away from the school environment for an extended period.”

Dr Bailey said to make the transition smooth, parents should make sure that the child engages in school-related tasks during holidays to keep their learning on track.

“Parents should show compassion to children as it is hard to go back after a fun time off but remind them of all the exciting things they did last year at school.”

Madeeha Afridi, counselling psychologist at the LightHouse Arabia clinic in Dubai, also said that parents should play a major role in preparing their child for the new school year.

“This could mean giving them the chance to choose their own school supplies or giving them as much power to choose their own after school activities,” she said.

“When children are given a healthy level of control of decision related to the school year, they are able to own the experience, and are able to have a healthier outlook about it.”

She said that it is natural for children to feel anxious when they begin a new term because they may feel they are losing their freedom.

It is important, however, for parents to understand the difference between healthy and unhealthy anxiety.

“Healthy anxiety can be the child expressing their nervousness about beginning a new school year, their thoughts and emotions in general about the experience, which parents should welcome and encourage,” Ms Afridi said.

“Unhealthy anxiety can be when a child consistently expresses their fear of beginning the school year, and in addition, they begin to have physical symptoms such as stomach aches, body pains, or headaches associated with starting school.”

Ms Afridi agreed that parents should slowly re-acclimatise children to school life at least a week or two before term starts.

“It is a key element for families to get back into a routine to begin the school year in a way that feels positive. If a family does not settle back into a routine, children will feel more anxious and unsettled as the first day of school approaches.”

Basil Al Shouly, who has a 10-year-old daughter, said going back to school could be full of excitement - as well as anxiety.

“The relationship between child and school decides your child’s attitude towards a new academic year,” said the educational consultant from Jordan.

“My daughter is happy with her school and considers it as her second home. But there are many children who do not enjoy their school life,” he said. “It is always difficult for them to return to a life which they don’t like.”

He suggested schools could help out by organising picnics or open days, at the end of summer, for parents and children.

“Such informal sessions ahead of starting a disciplined routine would have a positive impact on the children and they may feel more comfortable,” he said.

Pupils across the country will head back to school on August 30.