School anxiety is real even for children who seem confident on the outside.
It can show up as stomach aches before school, sudden tears at drop-off, or frequent “I don’t want to go” mornings. For parents, the challenge is knowing how to respond without making the child feel judged.
Why Children Feel Anxious About School
- Fear of making mistakes or failing
- Trouble making friends or fitting in
- Overwhelming homework or tests
- Change in environment (new school or teacher)
How to Start the Conversation
- Pick the Right Time: Avoid rushing the talk during a busy morning. Evening or after playtime is better.
- Ask Open-Ended Questions: “How was your day?” can be too vague; try “What was the hardest part of today?”
- Listen Without Interrupting: Sometimes they just need to be heard.
- Validate Their Feelings: “It’s okay to feel nervous. Many people do.”
Helping Them Cope
- Practice deep breathing together.
- Role-play tricky school situations.
- Create a morning routine that’s calm and predictable.
- Encourage them with past examples of challenges they overcame.
At SIMA Abacus, we’ve found that when children are taught in a supportive, encouraging way, their confidence in both learning and social interaction grows — and anxiety fades.
Talking about school anxiety is not about removing every fear, but about teaching your child they’re not facing it alone.