Change is challenging. As educators and students, we go through a big change every year. We say goodbye to one community we’ve made–take a break and start a whole new community the following year. Then we have a long break mid-school year, and sometimes it seems like we’re starting a new year again! Parents/guardians of school-aged children also do this. We may also experience other significant changes: changing jobs, adding a member to our family, losing a family member, moving, etc.

For all children, change can be challenging and stressful. For children with anxiety, it can be extra tricky. As much as they seem to push against it, children thrive with structure and routines. The more we can prepare children for change, the better they can handle it.

Towards the beginning of this year school, my family had three significant changes. My youngest started middle school, my eldest started college, and my husband started a new job. I have one child between the two who also had a change, but it was the simplest of changes in the education system; she kept the same school and changed grades.

With my eldest daughter moving to college, we talked with her about what college would look like, feel like, expectations, etc. We also spoke with our other children about the coming change in our family. Everyone’s questions were answered- to the best of our knowledge.

The change for my son attending middle school was more manageable than for my daughter attending college. But any change can produce stress and anxiety. We answered his questions as best as possible, and he could visit the school for a day, meet other kids and teachers, tour the school, etc.

Knowing about the coming change can help ease everyone’s anxiety. For many of my students, just talking about what will happen helps reduce their anxiety. As much as I can, I prep them for when I might be absent or at a meeting. We also talk about schedule changes, fire drills, breaks from school, etc.

Before the winter break, my students and I discussed what they might do over the break. If they celebrate Christmas, we talked about what that might look like. I told them about my family’s traditions, and then they could remember some of their family traditions and what they might look like for them. We also discussed ideas for what they could do on the long break from school. The video games they like to play; they can go to the park on a nice day, text their friends, draw pictures, read books, etc. It helps the students to brainstorm and know what I might do with my kids while I’m at home. Hearing others’ ideas gives students ideas of their own and sparks their imagination so they can picture themselves on their break.

When experiencing anxiety from change, children can exhibit various signs of anxiety. For example; sleeplessness, fidgeting, challenging behavior, arguing, or sadness. There are things adults can do To help children combat anxiety from change.

• 1. Have Open Communication: Encourage children to express their feelings and thoughts about the change.
• 2. Maintain Routines and Stability: Establish consistent routines and maintain familiar activities as much as possible.
• 3. Offer Support and Validation: Acknowledge and validate children’s emotions, offering support and understanding without dismissing their feelings.
• 4. Provide a Safe Environment: Create a safe space for children to express themselves freely without judgment or pressure.

Change is inevitable in life. As adults, knowing change can be just as stressful for children as for us; we can help the children in our lives become more adaptive to the changes in their lives.