Description
Starting a new school year can be a stressful time for children and young people. Even children who are usually confident may experience anxiety about new routines, teachers, classmates, or academic pressures. This toolkit has been created to support parents and educators in recognising, understanding, and managing back-to-school anxiety, providing practical strategies and resources to foster confidence, resilience, and emotional wellbeing.
What’s Included
Parent/Educator Information Sheets
A series of 43 concise, evidence-based guides covering key aspects of back-to-school anxiety, including:
• Understanding anxiety triggers and common behaviours.
• Confidence-boosting activities to support self-esteem.
• Emotional regulation and coping strategies.
• Supporting social skills and friendships.
Each sheet provides clear advice, step-by-step strategies, and examples to make implementation straightforward.
Checklists to Identify Possible Triggers
These checklists help parents and educators notice early signs of anxiety and pinpoint potential causes, such as:
• Social Skills audit.
• Emotional Regulation.
• Executive Function deficits.
• Sensory sensitivities or overstimulation.
Identifying triggers allows for proactive support rather than reactive management, reducing distress and preventing escalation.
Activities for Confidence and Coping
The toolkit includes practical exercises designed to build resilience and self-assurance, such as:
• Morning routines and affirmations to start the day positively.
• Journaling and reflection activities to celebrate achievements.
• Physical exercises and movement breaks to release tension and improve mood.
Coping and Calming Strategies
A selection of evidence-informed techniques to help children manage anxiety in the moment, including Mindful breathing and grounding exercises.
Examples of Use
The toolkit demonstrates practical ways to integrate resources into everyday life:
• Morning preparation routines to reduce transition stress.
• Using journals or positivity activities  or after school reflection.
• Parent-child/Educator check-ins for practising coping techniques together.
How This Toolkit Helps
• Prevention and Early Support: By identifying triggers and recognising early signs, parents and educators can intervene before anxiety escalates.
• Practical Guidance: Clear, actionable steps make it easier to implement strategies consistently.
• Empowerment: Children gain confidence in managing their own emotions, while parents and educators feel equipped to provide meaningful support.
• Flexibility: Activities and strategies can be adapted for different ages, abilities, and settings.
This toolkit serves as a complete resource for supporting children during the back-to-school transition. By combining understanding, practical strategies, and structured activities, it aims to reduce anxiety, foster resilience, and create a more positive and confident start to the school year.
