Back to school: How to spot signs of anxiety in your child

28 August 2025

The back-to-school period can be a time of excitement, but it can also bring about anxiety, especially for children starting a new school. For parents, it’s not always easy to spot the difference between those everyday jitters and something more serious.

Often, children and teens don’t have the words to explain what’s going on. They might not know the emotion that they’re feeling is what you’d recognise as anxiety. That’s why it’s important to know what signs to look out for, and how to support them if they’re struggling.

1. Watch out for physical complaints

Stomach aches, headaches, feeling sick or unusually tired are common ways for the body to express anxiety. If these symptoms don’t seem to have a medical cause - and especially if they crop up on school mornings - anxiety might be the underlying cause.

2. Notice changes in behaviour

Has your child become more clingy, withdrawn, irritable, or easily upset? Are they avoiding school or social situations that they’ve always previously enjoyed? These changes can be signs your child is feeling overwhelmed or anxious.

3. Sleep difficulties

Anxious thoughts often rear up at bedtime. Trouble falling asleep, frequent waking, or nightmares might indicate that your child is worried about something.

4. Encourage open conversations

Try to create a calm space where your child feels safe to talk. Gentle, open-ended questions like, “How are you feeling about going back to school?” can help them express what’s on their mind without pressure.

5. Be patient and reassuring

Reassure them that it's okay to feel nervous and that you're there to support them. Routines, praise for small steps, and consistency all help to build emotional safety.
 

You don’t have to do this alone

Through NHS Wales, you’ve got free online access to SilverCloud’s® programmes for parents supporting children and teens with anxiety.

Getting support now can help prevent more serious problems developing.

These self-guided tools offer clinically-proven strategies to help you understand what your child is going through, and how best to help them. There’s no waiting list. They’re available anytime, anywhere, without the need to see a GP.

To get started with “Supporting an Anxious Child” or “Supporting an Anxious Teen” today sign up here.