We hear so much about back to school sales, supplies, shoes and more in the run up to the new school year. But, can we take a second to discuss back to school dread?

At Dream Team Tutoring, we understand that every student feels differently about their return to school after the summer holidays. Some students are filled with back-to-school dread. And others are full of excitement.

Some students can't wait to rekindle friendships with their friends after the 6-week long summer break. However, for others, the return to school is met with much anxiety and dread. This is also known as back-to-school dread.

In this article, we will share several back-to-school encouragements, which you can print out and your child can recite as affirmations each school morning. 

As a parent, you may be at a loss at what could cause your child to feel so withdrawn, given that school is meant to be a 'social environment'. The answer is multi-layered, as there are many things that could cause your child to feel this way.

Of course, the scenarios your child is likely to face will depend on their age (and whether they are in primary or secondary). However, there are several ways you can help as a parent/guardian.

Back To School Dread? What Is That?

As the name suggests, back-to-school dread can present as anxiety for some students. Put simply, it is an overwhelming feeling of not wanting to go to school. It almost feels like a burden too heavy for them to bear and one they’d much rather not have to deal with.

There are several reasons why your child may feel this. Your child’s age and their school experience are factors that determine these reasons.

Here's a list of possible scenarios and events that your child may be dreading:

• Group projects
• Homework
• The teacher asking them to answer a question(s) they don't have an answer to
• Lunchtime (and having to spend it alone)
• Making friends and having to interact socially
• Having to work in pairs and no one offering to partner with them
• Navigating a new school environment

How can I support my child during this time?

If you're wondering how to support your child through their back-to-school dread, you're about ¼ of the way there. Mainly because you will have realised that your child's response to their return to school isn't positive, which can go unnoticed. 

Once you’ve realised these, your approach should be intentional and attentive. Sometimes, children are apprehensive to share these feelings for fear of not being taken seriously. Therefore, it's crucial that you create a safe space for your child to express and talk through how they really feel about going back to school.

While there are several practical things that you can do to help them combat the feelings of overwhelm, some of the best things you can do is keep calm.

Try to stay positive, listen to and reassure your child verbally. A simple 'I know it might feel scary going to a new school or having a new teacher, but you don't have to do it alone; I'm here to support you' can go a long way. 

Who Did We Create These Affirmation Cards For?

We created these back-to-school affirmation cards for primary school-aged children. They can be yours for just £3.99 (our introductory price). 

For the parents of children experiencing back-to-school dread, we offer a simple and self-explanatory solution to help children start the new academic year on the right foot.

So, to get yours NOW, just put your email and name in the box below, and we’ll send them out to you in a jiffy!

We know and understand that these are not one-stop solutions because each student will have different experiences when returning to school. Our hope is that these affirmations can support their journey to building their confidence in themselves and their ability to tackle back-to-school dread.

How Will I Know That If These Affirmations Are Working?

One thing to note is that some students will have new school year jitters, which tend to fade as the year progresses and they settle into their routine. However, with back-to-school dread, their symptoms tend to persist year-round (if left unchecked).