Oklahoma City Pediatrician Gives Tips On Easing School Anxiety

An Oklahoma City metro pediatrician said the transition from summer to school can be exciting but also can cause anxiety. 

Dr. Michael Coffey advises parents to focus on positivity when it comes to dropping kids off for the day. 

“Focus on the positive aspects like how exciting it's gonna be, all the friends they are going to make, how much fun they are going to have," Bethany Children's Health Center's Dr. Coffey said. 

An open line of communication is what Coffey said is important for a child’s mental health.

"You want them to know that after school when the day is done, you’re going to talk about it all," Coffey said. 

The doctor said kids need to know they can speak up no matter what. By allowing this, he said parents can pick up on stressors much quicker.

Coffey told News 9 it's about being aware of what’s going on both inside and outside of the body. 

"If you have something on your body that is physically wrong then you talk about it and fix it," Coffey said. "Psychological ailments are hidden but they have just as much potential to be problematic.”

If your child is really stressed about school, Coffey wants parents to communicate that with school staff as teachers and counselors are trained to handle these situations.