Back-to-School Anxiety: How Play Therapy Can Help Children Feel More Confident

The start of a new school year is exciting—but for many children, it can also feel overwhelming.

New teachers. New classmates. New routines. Bigger expectations.

While it's normal for children to experience some first-day jitters, ongoing anxiety can make school feel stressful instead of exciting. Some children may struggle to explain what they're feeling, while others show their worries through tears, stomachaches, meltdowns, or refusing to go to school.

If your child seems especially anxious as the school year approaches, know that you're not alone—and help is available.

At OMNI, our play therapists help children understand their emotions, build confidence, and develop healthy coping skills so they can navigate school with greater resilience.

Is Back-to-School Anxiety Normal?

Yes.

Many children feel nervous before the first day of school or during the first few weeks of a new school year. Common worries include:

• Meeting a new teacher

• Making friends

• Being away from parents or caregivers

• Keeping up with schoolwork

• Trying something unfamiliar

• Adjusting to new routines

• Returning after a difficult school year

For most children, these feelings gradually improve as they settle into their routine. However, if anxiety becomes intense or begins interfering with daily life, it may be time for additional support.

Signs Your Child May Be Struggling With School Anxiety

Children don't always say, "I'm anxious." Instead, anxiety often shows up through behavior. Some common signs include:

• Frequent stomachaches or headaches before school

• Trouble sleeping before the school week

• Crying at drop-off

• Refusing to attend school

• Clinging to parents or caregivers

• Frequent worries about making mistakes

• Avoiding social situations

• Irritability or emotional outbursts

• Trouble concentrating

• Changes in appetite

• Needing constant reassurance

These behaviors aren't signs that a child is "being difficult." They're often signals that a child feels overwhelmed and doesn't yet have the skills to manage those emotions.

Why Children Often Show Anxiety Through Behavior

Adults can usually describe their feelings. Children are still learning how.

A child may not say: "I'm worried no one will play with me."

Instead, they may refuse to get dressed for school. Another child may not realize they're anxious at all—they simply complain that their stomach hurts every morning. Behavior is often a child's way of communicating emotions they don't yet have words to express.

How Play Therapy Helps Children With Back-to-School Anxiety

Play is a child's natural language.

Instead of expecting children to sit down and explain complicated emotions, play therapy allows them to express those feelings through activities that feel safe and familiar.

Using toys, games, art, storytelling, and imaginative play, therapists help children understand their emotions while building practical coping skills they can use at school and at home.

Play therapy can help children:

Build Confidence in New Situations

Trying new things becomes less intimidating when children practice problem-solving, flexibility, and resilience through play.

Learn Healthy Ways to Manage Anxiety

Children develop age-appropriate coping strategies such as calming techniques, emotional awareness, and self-regulation skills they can use when they begin to feel overwhelmed.

Practice Social Skills

For children who worry about making friends or fitting in, play therapy provides opportunities to practice communication, sharing, cooperation, and problem-solving in a supportive environment.

Process Difficult Experiences

If your child had a challenging previous school year—whether due to bullying, academic struggles, friendship issues, or another stressful experience—play therapy offers a safe way to work through those emotions without requiring them to find the "right" words.

Increase Emotional Resilience

Rather than eliminating all anxiety, therapy helps children build the confidence to handle challenges as they arise. Over time, many children become more comfortable navigating change, solving problems, and managing everyday stress.

What Happens During Play Therapy?

Parents are often surprised to learn that play therapy isn't simply free play. Each activity is intentionally chosen by a trained therapist to help children:

• Express emotions

• Identify worries

• Build coping skills

• Practice problem-solving

• Strengthen emotional regulation

• Increase self-confidence

Depending on your child's age and needs, sessions may include pretend play, art, games, storytelling, sensory activities, or other creative experiences designed to support emotional growth.

Parents are also an important part of the process. Therapists provide guidance, share observations, and offer practical strategies that families can use at home to reinforce progress.

Watch our video about Play Therapy

How Parents Can Help Ease Back-to-School Anxiety

While therapy can be incredibly helpful, there are also simple ways to support your child during this transition. You can help by:

• Re-establishing school routines before classes begin.

• Talking openly about school without dismissing your child's worries.

• Validating their feelings instead of immediately trying to "fix" them.

• Practicing morning routines together.

• Visiting the school or playground before the first day if possible.

• Encouraging healthy sleep habits.

• Celebrating small successes and acts of bravery.

Most importantly, let your child know that it's okay to feel nervous—and that you're there to support them.

When Should You Consider Play Therapy?

It may be time to seek additional support if your child's anxiety:

• Lasts several weeks after school begins

• Prevents them from attending school

• Causes frequent physical complaints without a medical explanation

• Interferes with friendships or learning

• Leads to frequent emotional outbursts

• Is causing significant stress for your child or family

You don't have to wait until anxiety becomes overwhelming before reaching out.

Early support can help children develop healthy coping skills that benefit them throughout their lives.

Helping Your Child Start the School Year With Confidence

Every child experiences change differently.

Some jump into a new school year with excitement, while others need a little extra support navigating the transition.

At OMNI, our trained play therapists help children understand their emotions, build confidence, and develop healthy coping skills through evidence-based play therapy designed specifically for young minds.

If your child is struggling with back-to-school anxiety, know that support is available. With the right tools—and the right encouragement—they can learn to face new challenges with confidence, resilience, and hope.

Because every child deserves to feel safe, supported, and excited to learn.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jenna Pavlik, LCPC, serves as the Clinical Supervisor of Substance Use Services at OMNI, where she oversees programming and works closely with clients in both individual and group settings. She brings a collaborative, client-centered approach to her leadership and clinical work, with a strong focus on connection, engagement, and meaningful progress.

Jenna was drawn to OMNI by its culture, flexibility, and deep sense of community. She is passionate about talking with people and building authentic relationships that support clients in achieving both their short- and long-term goals. Providing personalized care and fostering a supportive environment are central to her work, and she finds great fulfillment in OMNI’s ability to make a lasting impact on individuals and the broader community.

Outside of work, Jenna enjoys reading and spending time with family and friends. A few fun facts: her favorite color is pink, she loves rainy days, and her go-to karaoke song is “Walking on Sunshine.”