Catechist Know How

Reducing School Stress

By Mary Lou Rosien, BSW

Back to school It seems as if the minute we start the back-to-school shopping, my daughter’s anxiety starts. She has trouble sleeping, gets very whiny and even experiences anxiety attacks. This year she has the added pressure of moving up to middle school. These fears can be very real for school-age kids.

Stress and anxiety can look different in children than adults. Recognizing the signs can sometimes be difficult. They can include: difficulty sleeping, bad dreams, change in attitude, crying, or disinterest in buying clothes or school supplies. What can look like a bad attitude in your child can actually be fear. Recognizing what is going on below the surface is the first step in dealing with it.

Once identified there are things we can do to help reduce our student's fear of the unknown:

Expect some separation anxiety, especially from the young students. It is not uncommon for students to be scared in the new classroom setting. If you expect some difficulties you will be better equipped to handle them. If you teach younger grades you might even want to send a welcome letter to the child before classes start. Introduce yourself and give them some information about what to expect.
Pray with them and for them. Prayer can move mountains, it can also reduce anxiety. Studies have shown that people who have others praying for them recovered more quickly than others, even when they were unaware of the prayers. Prayer is practical as well as spiritual. It can help your students feel as if they are not alone in their concerns.
Remove the element of surprise. Take your class on a tour of their new faith formation classroom. Play some games of introduction and let the students help decorate the class.
Don’t minimize their fears. Whether the fear of beginning a new school year may seem unfounded to an adult, it is real to the child. Validate that new situations are scary.

Consider sharing a few instances when you have been scared of a new situation.
Have your students review other times when they have tried something new and been successful. This may also help the children believe in their ability to handle a new school year.
Tell them stories of Saints who had to overcome new and frightening things. St. Joan of Arc was a great warrior who started out as a young girl hearing the voice of God. St. Leo the Great met with the terrifying Attila the Hun and Blessed Junipero Serra traveled throughout California opening missions and working with the Native Americans.

Teach them to breathe. Teaching your students slow breathing techniques may help them to feel relaxed and regain control when an anxiety attack hits. Instruct them to focus on filling their whole body and chest with air, then let it out slowly, like a balloon losing air. Focusing on the name of Jesus as the breath escapes the body will also bring peace and make the breath a prayer.
Help them find an incentive. Plan a special activity (a party for All Souls day maybe). Give them something past the first day of classes to look forward to.
Teach them to talk back to the fear. When my daughter is fearful, she repeats a little mantra to herself. She says, “I am bigger than this thought. My brain is trying to lie to me to make me worry. I can do this. With God, I can do anything.” Statements such as these empower children when the anxiety seems to want to take over. The fear can develop a life of its own if left unchecked. Giving the upper hand to your child will help them to remain calm and unafraid. Memorizing Bible verses to use as Mantra’s work as well. “All things are possible with God.” Mark 10:27 “I can do all things in him who strengthens me.” Phil. 4:13
Repeating prayers. Prayers, such as the Our Father or Hail Mary, are familiar and comforting. We often encourage our children to say a Rosary when they are nervous about something.
If a student experiences severe anxiety attacks, or can’t seem to get past their fears,notify their parents and encourage them to seek help from a priest or professional counselor. Some children do suffer from anxiety disorders and need ongoing help or medications. Others benefit from some limited counseling to help get them through a rough spot. Talk to the child's parent about how these things are handled at home and offer support to the child and parent in getting through this rough spot.

All of us will experience stress or anxiety at some time. Realizing that back-to-school may be one of these times for your students can be a wonderful teaching moment; One in which we can identify with our children, teach them tools to overcome stress and impart on them the wisdom of trusting God in all things.

Mary Lou Rosien is a frequent contributor to Catholic magazines and the author of Managing Stress with the Help of your Catholic Faith (OSV Publishing). She prepares six of her seven children for school in her home in N.Chili, NY.