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Among the biggest anxiety triggers this time of year are feeling part of the group, making new friends, and school performance. Parents should keep in mind:<\/p>\n
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- Other factors can make it worse,<\/strong> including family strife or conflict, barriers to obtaining adequate school supplies and clothing, and other significant life stressors. \u201cIt could be special behavioral or academic needs that have not yet been discovered and addressed by the school, or developmental changes, like puberty, or the lack of developmental competencies,\u201d says pediatric psychologist Damion Grasso<\/a>.<\/li>\n
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Geraldine S. Pearson, associate professor of psychiatry<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Keep communication lines open.<\/strong> \u201cParents should pay attention and watch their kids,\u201d says Geraldine Pearson<\/a>, nurse practitioner and director of UConn Health\u2019s child and adolescent psychiatry practice<\/a>. \u201cI think family dinnertime, if established and supported in the family, is a great time to talk and process the stress of returning to school. For younger kids, bedtime and a ritual of talking before sleep can be supportive.\u201d<\/li>\n
- Know the significant adults and peers in your children\u2019s lives.<\/strong> \u201cWhile this is more difficult with teens, keeping track of where kids are and who they are with can be supportive \u2018behind the scenes\u2019 if there are stresses that emerge,\u201d Pearson says.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Bullying<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Dr. Montgomery Douglas, chair of the Department of Family Medicine<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n When children are bullied, it\u2019s important to acknowledge their feelings about it.<\/p>\n
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- Help them learn how to respond.<\/strong> \u201cTeach your child to be comfortable with when and how to ask a trusted adult for help,\u201d says Dr. Montgomery Douglas<\/a>, chair of the UConn Health Department of Family Medicine. \u201cAlert school officials to the problem, and work with them on solutions.\u201d<\/li>\n
- Run with a different crowd.<\/strong> Encourage your children to make friends with other children.<\/li>\n
- It\u2019s not just the playground anymore.<\/strong> Monitor your child\u2019s social media or texting interactions so you can identify problems before they get out of hand.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
What if your child is the bully?<\/p>\n
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- Make sure your child knows bullying is never OK.<\/strong> \u201cSet firm and consistent limits on your child\u2019s aggressive behavior,\u201d Douglas says. \u201cBe a positive role model. Show your child they can get what they want without teasing, threatening or hurting someone.\u201d<\/li>\n
- Use effective non-physical discipline<\/strong> such as loss of privileges.<\/li>\n
- Positive reinforcement:<\/strong> Focus on praising your child when he or she behaves in positive ways.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Less Tech, More Human Interaction<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Setting limits on screen time can go a long way both at school and at home.<\/p>\n
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- Lead by example.<\/strong> \u201cIf you reduce your screen time and move more, your kids will too,\u201d says Douglas, who recommends restricting children\u2019s screen time to no more than two hours a day. \u201cSuggest playing outside after school, and join the fun when you can\u2014turn on some music and have a family dance party.”<\/li>\n
- Bond at the dinner table.<\/strong> \u201cTurn off the TV during mealtime, and talk with your children about what they learned in school that day,\u201d Douglas says. \u201cFamilies who eat together tend to eat healthier.\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
The Sleep Factor<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Dr. Jennifer Kanaan, sleep disorders specialist<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Often overlooked is the importance of getting a good night\u2019s sleep\u2014and not just the night before the first day of school. Good sleep habits should be a year-round priority.<\/p>\n
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- The need for sleep increases through adolescence<\/strong>, when sleep phase shift\u2014their body clocks telling them to go to bed late and wake up late\u2014is highly prevalent. \u201cSleep-deprived children are more prone to academic, behavioral, and social difficulties Some school districts have adjusted school start times in recognition of this<\/a>,\u201d says Dr. Jennifer Kanaan<\/a>, one of UConn Health\u2019s experts in pediatric sleep disorders.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Dr. Daniel McNally, medical director, UConn Sleep Disorders Center<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n - \n
- Screens only make it worse<\/strong> because of the blue light waves, further affecting your sleep onset and keeping your mind busy when it should be shutting down. \u201cYou\u2019ll want to have them unplug at least 90 minutes before bedtime,\u201d Kanaan says.<\/li>\n
- Wake time is more influential than bed time<\/strong> because the exposure to light is what resets the body clock. Sleeping in on the weekends undoes that and it takes at least a few days to recover. \u201cIt\u2019s why keeping a consistent bed and wake time all week is better in the long run,\u201d says Dr. Daniel McNally<\/a>, medical director of the UConn Sleep Disorders Center.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Fall Sports Season<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Back to school also means back to practice for young athletes.<\/p>\n
Dr. Matthew Hall, UConn Health sports medicine<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n - Wake time is more influential than bed time<\/strong> because the exposure to light is what resets the body clock. Sleeping in on the weekends undoes that and it takes at least a few days to recover. \u201cIt\u2019s why keeping a consistent bed and wake time all week is better in the long run,\u201d says Dr. Daniel McNally<\/a>, medical director of the UConn Sleep Disorders Center.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- Screens only make it worse<\/strong> because of the blue light waves, further affecting your sleep onset and keeping your mind busy when it should be shutting down. \u201cYou\u2019ll want to have them unplug at least 90 minutes before bedtime,\u201d Kanaan says.<\/li>\n
- Bond at the dinner table.<\/strong> \u201cTurn off the TV during mealtime, and talk with your children about what they learned in school that day,\u201d Douglas says. \u201cFamilies who eat together tend to eat healthier.\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- Use effective non-physical discipline<\/strong> such as loss of privileges.<\/li>\n
- Run with a different crowd.<\/strong> Encourage your children to make friends with other children.<\/li>\n
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