Some children count down the days until school starts with excitement. Others count down with a knot in their stomach.
Whether it’s their very first day of school, the transition to middle or high school, or their first semester of college, a new teacher, a different classroom, tougher coursework, changing friendships, or a new environment can bring a mix of emotions. While it’s normal for young people to feel nervous before a transition, ongoing anxiety can affect everything from sleep and appetite to learning, relationships, and daily life.
Anxiety is one of the most common mental health concerns among young people. Recent CDC data shows that about one in five U.S. youth reported experiencing symptoms of anxiety.
While it’s true that many Black families’ back-to-school conversations proudly and deservedly focus on school supplies, schedules, and academic success, making space to talk about emotions is just as important.
Black children can experience the same worries as any other child while also navigating pressures that aren’t always obvious—from wanting to fit in to feeling like they have to excel. Checking in on their emotional well-being before school starts can help them feel more confident and supported.
Anxiety can also look different depending on a child’s age:
Younger children may express worry through clinginess, physical complaints, or difficulty separating from caregivers.
Older children and teens may be more likely to show anxiety through irritability, social withdrawal, academic pressure, or concerns about fitting in.
Here are seven signs your child may be struggling with back-to-school anxiety—and how you can help.
Has your child started having trouble falling asleep, waking up during the night, or asking to sleep with you after months of sleeping independently?
Changes in sleep are often one of the first signs that something is weighing on a child’s mind. While adjusting bedtime after summer break can be challenging on its own, persistent sleep problems may signal that your child is feeling anxious about returning to school.
What parents can do: Start adjusting bedtime one to two weeks before school begins and create a calming nighttime routine. If your child seems worried, ask open-ended questions instead of assuming what’s wrong.
Children don’t always have the words to explain how they’re feeling emotionally. Instead, stress and anxiety can sometimes show up physically.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics’ parenting resource HealthyChildren.org, some children experiencing school-related anxiety may complain of headaches, stomachaches, nausea, or other symptoms, especially around school days.
What parents can do: Of course, ongoing physical symptoms should always be discussed with your child’s healthcare provider to rule out an underlying medical condition.
Mood swings happen, but if your normally easygoing child suddenly seems quick to anger, unusually emotional, or frustrated over small things, stress could be part of the picture.
Sometimes anxiety doesn’t look like fear. It looks like impatience, tears, or short tempers.
What parents can do: Rather than responding only to the behavior, get curious about what’s behind it. A simple question like, “You’ve seemed a little stressed lately. Want to talk about it?” can open the door to a meaningful conversation.
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Has your child stopped talking about school? Are they spending more time alone than usual? Have they lost interest in activities they normally enjoy?
Withdrawal can be another sign that your child is feeling overwhelmed, especially if it is a noticeable change from their usual behavior. While some children naturally need more alone time than others, sudden changes in social habits or loss of interest in activities they enjoy may be worth checking in about.
For older children and teens, worries about friendships, bullying, academic expectations, or fitting in may become more intense as the school year approaches.
What parents can do: Give your child space while staying connected. Try low-pressure conversations during everyday moments and ask open-ended questions instead of pushing for answers. Remind them that you’re available to listen whenever they’re ready to talk.
“What if I don’t know anyone in my class?”
“What if I get lost?”
“What if my teacher doesn’t like me?”
Questions like these are common before a new school year begins. But if your child repeatedly seeks reassurance or seems unable to let go of their worries, they may need extra support navigating those fears.
What parents can do: Instead of immediately offering solutions, try listening first. Sometimes children simply need to know their feelings are valid.
When children are anxious, it can be difficult to concentrate, remember information, or stay organized.
If your child seems distracted, forgetful, or unusually overwhelmed by conversations about school, it may be less about motivation and more about what’s happening emotionally.
What parents can do: Helping children practice new routines before school starts—such as packing their backpack or walking through the morning schedule—can make the transition feel more manageable.
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It’s one thing to say, “Summer went by too fast.” It’s another for a child to become extremely upset at the thought of returning to school.
Frequent crying, refusing to talk about school, or expressing intense fear about the upcoming year may signal that your child needs additional emotional support.
What parents can do: If these feelings continue after school starts or begin interfering with daily life, talk with your pediatrician or a licensed mental health professional.
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While anxiety may look like worry or fear, stress and emotional struggles can show up in other ways—especially for younger children who may not have the words to explain what they’re feeling.
Parents may also notice:
A child doesn’t have to say “I’m anxious” for parents to recognize that something may be bothering them. Paying attention to changes in behavior can be the first step toward understanding what they need.
If these feelings continue after school starts or begin interfering with daily life, talk with your pediatrician or a licensed mental health professional.
Pediatric psychologist Erika Chiappini, PhD, of Johns Hopkins Children’s Center, says back-to-school nerves are common, but parents can help children manage the transition by preparing for changes ahead of time, practicing new routines, and creating opportunities for children to talk about their concerns.
Supporting your child’s mental health doesn’t require having all the answers. Often, it starts with creating space for honest conversations.
Chiappini encourages parents to help children think through how they’ll handle difficult moments before they happen. “Come up with a coping plan that they can use in school if something feels hard,” she says. “This could be something they can tell themselves, a person they can go to, or even thinking through who they can play with during recess.”
Sometimes the most important back-to-school question isn’t, “Did you finish your homework?” It’s, “How are you feeling about going back?”
Try these simple strategies:
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that parents work with children to understand the source of their concerns and involve supportive adults, including school staff, when anxiety begins affecting school attendance or daily life.
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Occasional back-to-school jitters are a normal part of growing up. But if your child’s anxiety lasts for several weeks, keeps them from eating or sleeping, causes them to avoid school, or interferes with everyday activities, it’s time to talk with a healthcare provider or mental health professional.
Early support can make a big difference—not only in helping children feel better emotionally, but also in setting them up for a successful school year.
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Backpacks, notebooks, and new classes may get most of the attention this time of year, but your child’s emotional well-being deserves a place on the back-to-school checklist, too.
By recognizing the signs of anxiety early and creating opportunities for open conversations, parents can help children feel more confident, connected, and ready for whatever the new school year brings.
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