Back-to-school: Here’s how to manage children’s anxiety [Video]

Heading back to class can be anxiety inducing for some children, according to a local psychologist, and CTV News Ottawa looks further into how to help them manage the stress.

Dr. Carole Gentile, psychologist at CHEO, told CTV Morning Live Friday nervous anticipation about the first day of school is entirely normal. She says that anxiety often manifests itself in “what if” questions, such as:

“What if I don’t get my preferred teacher? What if my best friend is not in my classroom? Or what if Grade X is just more difficult than the one I’ve just completed?” Gentile said.

Normal vs detrimental anxiety

Gentile notes that anxiety is a normal human emotion that parents should not try to eliminate, especially when the child experiences it in response to stressful life events.

However, they should investigate further when the anxiety reaches chronic levels, becomes highly distressing and gets in the way of functioning, she …