Back-to-School Emotions: How to Spot the Signs—and Help Your Child Feel Safe, Seen, and Supported
Back-to-school is a fresh start. It can also be a swirl of jitters, restless nights, and “I don’t want to go” mornings. Many kids won’t say “I’m anxious”—they’ll show it in little ways: tummy aches on school days, meltdowns after pickup, or quiet withdrawal at dinner. If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. We’re here to help.
At Atracare, our Mental Health team supports children as young as 5 with one-on-one therapy and family sessions. We meet kids where they are—gently, practically, and without judgment—so home and school feel manageable again.
What this transition can feel like (and why)
New classrooms, routines, and social dynamics can be exciting and overwhelming at once. For some kids, uncertainty shows up as worry, clinginess, irritability, or physical complaints (like stomachaches) during school weeks. That’s a normal response to change—and it’s workable with the right supports. Sources (for this section): https://www.aacap.org/AACAP/Families_and_Youth/Facts_for_Families/FFF-Guide/The-Anxious-Child-047.aspx
Additional context used here: The CDC notes that while fears and worries are typical in childhood, persistent or extreme fear or sadness may signal anxiety or depression, and these conditions often co-occur.
Try this four-step script if your child freezes at the door:
Connect: “I can see this is hard. I’m right here.”
Name + Normalize: “First weeks feel new and wobbly for lots of kids.”
Skill: “Let’s do three rounds of our 4-4-4 breathing together.”
Step: “We’ll walk to the classroom, say hi to Ms. R, and then I’ll give you a hug goodbye.”
(If separation is the sticking point, agree on a consistent goodbye routine—and stick with it. Consistency is kindness.)
If your child doesn’t want to talk
Some kids communicate in drawings, choices, or short scales. Try: “On a 0–10 meter, how spiky does school feel today?” Then ask, “What would help you move it down by one point?” Small choices (route to school, which snack, a fidget in the pocket) build control without pressure.
What to expect at Atracare (so it feels less scary)
A welcoming first visit. We start by listening. You’ll share what you’ve noticed; your child can share in their own words (or drawings, or play). We move at a pace that feels safe.
A plan you can actually use at home and school. Together, we’ll agree on a small set of strategies—what to practice, who to loop in at school, and how to handle tough mornings.
Care that fits your family. Some families prefer child-only sessions; others like family sessions. We offer both and can switch as needs change.
Coordination when needed. With your permission, we can collaborate with Atracare Pediatrics or Primary Care to keep support connected across your child’s care team.
Evidence-informed care. Depending on age and needs, care may include behavioral therapies (child therapy, family therapy, or both) and, when appropriate, discussion of medication as part of a thoughtful plan—approaches that align with CDC guidance on treatment for child anxiety and depression. CDC Sources (for this section): https://www.cdc.gov/children-mental-health/about/about-anxiety-and-depression-in-children.html
You don’t have to do this alone
If you’re noticing changes—or you just want a plan before small worries grow—our clinicians are ready to help. We see the whole child, and we partner with the whole family.
Dr. Ted Kouzov is a board-certified Family Medicine physician at Atracare, providing evidence-based, prevention-focused primary care with a lifestyle-medicine approach.
Atracare is opening a modern, light-filled Primary Care hub on Plantation Road in the coming weeks—purpose-built for comfort, efficiency, and coordinated care. With Christiana Care’s multi-specialty clinic right across the hall, patients get seamless access to cardiology, neurology, endocrinology, and more—all under one roof. Watch our tour here >
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