When the school year starts, your teen-ager might be worried about everything from math class to the latest fashions. Your fledgling first-grader, meanwhile, may be anxious about making friends and just finding the restroom.

“There are several things parents can do to ease those back-to-school blues,” says Cherie Hughes, Ph.D., a clinical and consulting psychologist at Children’s Medical Center of Dallas. Whatever your child’s age, you can ease those first-day jitters by helping the student plan for a new school year. “You’ll reinforce the importance of school and make the worries of a new school year less traumatic,” Hughes says.

But remember: The amount of help a student wants differs by age. An elementary-schooler needs plenty of help, while a middle-schooler expects a bit more freedom. An older student might not want Mom and Dad to make any fuss – but parents should find ways to stay involved because high school presents more choices.

Here’s how you can prepare your child for a new year in the classroom:

• Two weeks before the school year begins, start getting your child back in the habit of going to bed, rising and eating meals at set times. All youngsters need time to adjust to school schedules after summer activities.
  
• On a calendar, start counting down the days until school begins.
  
• Plan a special back-to-school dinner with your child’s help. Rise early and prepare a favorite breakfast on the first day of school.

Familiarity helps

It’s especially important for a young student to be familiar with new surroundings. Parents often forget how frightening change can be to children. To quell any fears of going to a new school:

• Drive by the school and point it out to your child.
  
• On another day, take your child to the school and walk around. Play in the playground and look in classrooms and the lunchroom.
  
• Plan with your child how he will get to and from school. If walking, show the child the route; if riding the bus, show the child the bus stop. Try to identify other children who can be travel companions. Assure the child you or another adult will be there to help him if there is any concern.
  
• If your child’s school offers an open house before classes start, go with your child to meet the teacher and other students in a relaxed setting. Familiar faces are reassuring on the first day.