As the school year draws to a close many children, especially those who already suffer with anxiety, start to feel the weight of uncertainty. Changes in routine, upcoming transitions to new classes or schools and even the long stretch of the summer holidays can feel really overwhelming.
If your child finds change difficult, you’re not alone. The good news is that there are practical steps you can take to support them through this season.
In this blog post we will be taking you through some top tips – and if you would like to know more about supporting an anxious child then don’t miss our live webinar on 8 July.
Full details and booking tickets can be found here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1037796556437
We know how difficult change can be for many SEND children and that some of these tips won’t work for your child but here’s our guide on some of the steps you might wish to consider…
Start talking about the upcoming change early…and gently
The earlier you begin preparing your child for a transition, the better and how you talk about it matters. Keep it calm, factual and positive. Avoid overwhelming them with too much information all at once. Instead, drip-feed details about what’s coming next. For example:
“In a few weeks, school will finish for the summer. You’ll have lots of time to play and relax and then you’ll meet your new teacher in September.”
Use visual aids or timelines if your child responds well to visual structure.
Acknowledge feelings without jumping to solutions
When your child expresses anxiety or worry, resist the urge to immediately reassure or fix. Instead, validate what they’re feeling:
“It makes sense that you’re feeling nervous about a new teacher. Lots of children feel like that at this time of year.”
By giving space for their emotions, you’re helping them feel heard and that builds trust and emotional resilience.
Use predictability to your advantage
Transitions feel safer when there are clear signposts along the way. Create routines around the end of term, count down days, visit their new school or classroom (if possible), look at photos of new staff or read stories about starting something new.
Over the summer, try to keep daily routines in place, like meal and sleep times as structure can act like scaffolding during uncertain times.
Practise change in low stress ways
Help your child build tolerance for change in small, manageable ways. This might include:
- Taking a different route to school
- Trying a new activity together
- Switching seats at mealtimes
Each small success helps build the emotional flexibility they’ll need for bigger transitions.
Link change to strength and growth
This can be a really hard one for neurodivergent children as we know that for many of them the anxiety around change stems from the loss of control. Unfortunately though, we all that change in whatever form that takes is inevitable in life and it’s not something we can shield them from. By reframing change as part of growing up, something they can do, and have done before, it can help to shift the narrative over time.
Then, be sure to celebrate resilience, however small.
Anxiety in children is becoming more prevalent and it can be a really overwhelming thing to try to deal with – we are here to offer you the support and guidance you need.
On 8 July 2025, we’ll be joined by children’s mental health support Bridge the Gap to understand all the many ways we can support a child with anxiety. This will include:
- What anxiety really is and how it differs from general worry
- How anxiety presents in children (emotionally, physically and behaviourally)
- What’s happening in the brain and body when a child is anxious
- Strategies and tools that help children regulate and feel supported
- How to build trust and strengthen your relationship with an anxious child
- What works in real life — whether you’re a parent, teacher, TA or SENCO
If any of this will be of help to you and your child then join us live on the night – there will be opportunity to pose your own questions throughout. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/supporting-an-anxious-child-tickets-1037796556437
