November 4th, 2025
Have you noticed your child or teen resisting going to school, complaining of stomachaches in the morning, or becoming increasingly anxious on school nights? You’re not alone — many families experience these challenges. School anxiety is more common than most parents realize, and it can affect everything from a child’s mood and motivation to their friendships and confidence.
We're here to share some insight on how you can help a child with school anxiety and steps you can take to make things easier at home. While a pediatric psychiatrist or child therapist can provide personalized strategies for managing school-related anxiety, there are also practical ways parents can start offering support right now. Keep reading to take a deeper look into what School Anxiety is and how you can help!
School anxiety refers to the worries and fears children feel about the school environment. These worries can stem from several sources — from struggling to keep up academically to feeling pressure to perform well in the classroom. Beyond grades and tests, anxiety in children often shows up in school social settings, too.
School-age kids are at a crucial stage of developing self-esteem and identity. When they have trouble fitting in, experience bullying, or feel excluded, they may start to fear going to school or interacting with others. Recognizing the signs of anxiety in children early can make a big difference.
Recognizing school anxiety in children can be difficult, as it often appears through both physical and emotional changes. Every child experiences anxiety differently — some may show clear physical symptoms, while others may express their worries through behavior or mood changes.
Physical and emotional symptoms of anxiety can vary between children. Some may experience multiple physical symptoms, while others may just experience one. Common signs can include:
These symptoms can appear before school, during homework time, or even the night before returning to class.
School refusal can be another key sign of school anxiety in kids— when a child avoids or refuses to attend school. This may happen because:
If your child frequently complains of feeling sick in the morning or becomes upset before school, it may be more than simple reluctance — it could be a sign of school-related anxiety that needs attention.
Anxiety in children often affects sleep patterns. Kids may struggle to fall asleep, wake up during the night, or sleep less overall. Inconsistent sleep can increase irritability and make it even harder for them to manage stress during the school day.
As children move into middle school and high school, anxiety symptoms often become more visible through changes in behavior or attitude. Older students may try to hide their worries, but anxiety can still show up in different ways. Signs of anxiety in teens can vary depending on cultural background, family expectations, and individual coping styles.
Common symptoms may include:
Like we mentioned earlier in the blog, school anxiety in children can develop for many different reasons — and often, it’s a mix of emotional, academic, and social stressors. Understanding what’s behind your child’s worries is the first step toward helping them feel safe and confident again.
Creating a supportive and stable home environment can make a significant difference for children experiencing school anxiety. Here are some practical ways parents can help their child manage anxiety and build emotional resilience:
Children thrive on structure and predictability, in general, humans tend to be more successful when engaged in a regular routine. Maintaining a regular routine helps reduce uncertainty and provides a sense of control.
A child may have a physically safe home but still feel uncomfortable expressing their emotions. Emotional safety means a child feels heard, validated, and accepted without fear of judgment.
In addition to parental support, friendships and peer connections are vital for emotional development. It’s important for kids to have a social support network of children around their age. A strong social support network can reduce feelings of isolation and help children build confidence.
Sometimes, additional help from mental health professionals can make all the difference. Seeking additional resources does not mean that you are not providing enough support at home. Oftentimes, parents do not always have all of the resources or tools to best support the child's social anxiety.
Child and teen mental health struggles are on the rise with all of the pressures and expectations in today’s world. Psychiatrists, Therapists, and other mental health professionals can be an integral part of a child's support network.
If your child is struggling with school anxiety, it's crucial to coordinate with staff at the child's school. Proper communication between all parties is necessary to ensure the child's educational needs are being met. Two of the most common approaches to providing students with additional resources include:
The purpose of a 504 plan is to help determine accommodations that can allow a child equal access to resources available at school. Some examples of accommodations could include:
An IEP, on the other hand, tends to be a more formal plan that addresses students with a disability. With an IEP, one must meet more specific criteria, and specific measurable goals are an essential part to evaluating the program's success. Setting up a meeting with those who play a key role in a child's education process helps to make sure everyone has the correct information and plans moving forward to support the child.
Typically, the child, parents, teacher, and guidance counselor are present for these meetings. If applicable, the principal may also be included. Involvement of the child can be beneficial when possible, and, depending on the age, to help the child feel included in the process. The School Avoidance Alliance could be a good resource for parents with children struggling with school refusal and anxiety to explore.
Parents, remember you and your child do not have to struggle alone with this. At Clarity Clinic, we have a plethora of skilled clinicians who specialize in working with the child and adolescent population, who are ready to support you.
At Clarity Clinic, our team of pediatric psychiatrists and therapists specializes in anxiety treatment for kids and teens. We work closely with families to identify the signs of anxiety in children and create individualized care plans that support emotional growth and school success.
For teens who need additional support, Clarity Clinic also offers an Adolescent Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) and Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) at our Arlington Heights clinic. These structured anxiety treatment programs provide a higher level of care with daily group therapy, psychiatric oversight, and peer connection — helping teens build coping skills and confidence in a safe, supportive environment.
Our mental health clinics are located throughout the Chicagoland area, however we also offer online psychiatry and therapy services in Illinois to make quality care accessible wherever you are. Book an appointment with a pediatric psychiatrist near you at Clarity Clinic to get your child the expert help they deserve.
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