By Grace Gober
Wow! In the blink of an eye, we are back to school. In the midst of meet-the-teacher nights, freshly sharpened pencils, and the excitement of new classmates, this season can also bring overwhelming emotions and feelings of nervousness for children and parents. Many children are stepping into classrooms with new teachers, unfamiliar friends, or even an entirely new building, and that can feel intimidating.
While heightened emotions are natural during times of transition, there are many intentional ways to help prepare your child for this new season of life. In the weeks leading up to the school year, incorporating affirmations, breathing techniques, and consistent routines can help regulate emotions and build confidence.
Speak truth over your children. Rather than allowing fear or doubt to shape their identity, remind them of who God says they are. Encourage them to declare truths found in scriptures such as Isaiah 41:10, “God is with me”; Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”; and Psalm 139:14, “I am fearfully and wonderfully made.”
As parents consistently speak these biblical truths over their children, and children learn to repeat them, truth takes root in their hearts, fostering courage, resilience, peace, and confidence that is grounded not in themselves but in Christ.
Teaching breathing techniques can also provide children with practical tools to manage anxious feelings. Exercises such as rainbow breathing* or box breathing* can help regulate emotions during the back-to-school transition and become lifelong coping skills they can use before a recital, a big test, an athletic event, or even a class party.
Another important piece of preparation is routine. Whether your child enjoys routine or not, their nervous system benefits from it. Gradually adjusting wake-up times toward the end of summer, incorporating daily reading, and re-establishing consistent bedtimes can tremendously ease the transition from summer freedom back into the structure of the school year.
Parents, in the midst of your child’s nervousness, you have the opportunity to be their source of steadiness. Be a listening ear for their emotions, encourage them often, and remind them how deeply loved they are. These are big feelings, and they can sometimes be difficult for children to express. Hug them often, speak truth over them, and above all, extend grace – to them and to yourself – during this season.
*Videos on rainbow breathing and box breathing can be found on YouTube.
Grace Gober is a doctoral student in Counselor Education and Supervision at The University of Mississippi, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy Leadership and Psychology and her Master of Education in Clinical Mental Health Counseling.
Grace currently serves as a counselor at the Center for Outreach and Personal Enrichment (COPE), The University of Mississippi’s counseling clinic, where she provides individual, couples, family, and group counseling across the state of Mississippi.
In addition to her clinical work, Grace teaches reformer Pilates. She enjoys fostering physical and emotional wellness, spending time with loved ones, and attempting to garden.
