5 Feb 2026

How to help kids deal with the back-to-school nerves

From Nine To Noon, 11:25 am on 5 February 2026
Child wearing backpack and going to school.

Photo: Unsplash / Kateryna Hliznitsova

Most kids will be back to school by now, but not all will be feeling "settled" in their classroom.

The return-to-school nerves can be a normal reaction after the long summer break, particularly for children who have moved up to the next level of schooling or changed schools completely. But what if the anxiety doesn't subside?

When should parents be concerned and what can they do about it?

Kathryn is joined by clinical psychologist and mum of three, Jacqui Maguire.