What You Need to Know About School Anxiety
We work with a lot of brave, anxious kids. Every day, we see families navigating the worry, the morning tears, and the "what ifs" that come with school anxiety. Here's what we want you to know.
The Short Version
Your child is not broken. Their nervous system is protecting them.
Connection first. Coaching second.
Tiny wins build real confidence.
What It Is
School anxiety shows up differently for every child, but here are common signs:
Morning stomach aches or tears at drop off
Trouble falling asleep or waking up worried
Avoiding school talk or asking for early pick-ups
Big swings in appetite, mood, or energy levels
Physical complaints that disappear on weekends
If this sounds like your house, you are not alone. One of our team members fainted on the first day of kindergarten. We've printed out pictures of favorite characters as comfort items, hidden notes in lunchboxes, and tried every trick in the book.
We get it because we've lived it.
Why It Shows Up
Stress overload: Sleep loss, classroom noise, crowded hallways, and screen overwhelm stack up like invisible weights.
Skills gap: Anxiety grows when kids doubt they can handle new situations. The uncertainty feels bigger than their confidence.
Developing brains: The emotional regulation part of the brain is still growing until the mid-twenties. School demands can outpace what their developing brain can handle smoothly.
What Helps Right Now
Connect, Then Problem Solve
When your child is spinning with worry, slow your voice and name what you see: "You feel really worried about today." Breathe together or just sit close.
Once they feel heard, then you can plan the next small step.
Build Coping Confidence
Remind them of past wins. We teach kids to say, "Nerves mean my brain is getting ready" instead of "I'm scared." Celebrate any brave action, even tiny ones.
Lower the Total Stress Load
Protect sleep with consistent bedtimes
Pack steady snacks to keep blood sugar stable
Add short movement bursts (jumping jacks, wall push-ups)
Guard quiet downtime after school
Make Mornings Smoother
Preview success: Walk through the first ten minutes of their school day the night before
Movement first: Try wall push ups, a quick driveway walk, or stretches in pajamas
Ritual connection: Create a short, upbeat goodbye routine that's just yours
Power phrase: Agree on something like "We can do hard things"
When to Get Extra Help
Trust your instincts. Reach out if anxiety lasts more than a few weeks, keeps growing despite your support, or blocks your child from daily activities they used to enjoy.
Your support team might include your pediatrician, the school counselor, and a child anxiety specialist. You deserve support too.
This Week's Simple Plan
You don't have to overhaul everything:
Tonight: Practice one morning routine while everyone's calm
Tomorrow: Teach one calming tool when your child feels good
This week: Email your child's teacher with two supports that work at home
Daily: Protect one quiet hour after school
If needed: Schedule a parent consultation
You've Got This
Parenting an anxious child feels overwhelming some days. You might wonder if you're doing enough or making it worse somehow. You're not making it worse. Your love and willingness to learn are exactly what your child needs.
Anxiety is information, not a life sentence. With the right support, anxious kids often become incredibly empathetic and resilient adults.
If you're ready for support, we're here. If you need to try things on your own first, that's okay too. There's no wrong way to love your child through this.
How We Help at Summit Ranch
At Summit Ranch, kids learn real-life skills through movement, animals, and play in our 100-acre natural setting. We know that anxiety lives in the body, so we use the body to heal it.
Instead of sitting in an office talking about feelings, kids might practice calming techniques while brushing horses, build confidence on our challenge course, or learn focus skills through nature exploration.
We offer:
Nature-based therapy that reduces stress and boosts focus
Executive function coaching that builds planning and organization skills
Movement-based therapy that supports attention and emotional regulation
Animal-assisted therapy that makes skill practice engaging, not clinical
Families across Kansas City come to us because our outdoor setting naturally lowers stress while kids build the tools they need for school success.
Ready for support? Contact us at i[email protected]
