With school being back in on September 1, anxiety for kids and parents can run high.

Chris Pawluk, Rocky View Schools, Lead Psychologist, says kids can face a variety of emotions as they head back to class.

"A lot of kids will have butterflies in their stomach when they think about going back to school and they have trouble deciding whether that's excitement or anxiety."

Pawluk adds the two emotions may feel the same way, and parents can help ease anxiety by focusing on the excitement factor instead.

"Being able to re-frame some of the worries they have as a combination of worries and anxiety can be really helpful,  to get kids to think more in terms of -I am excited."

Make sure you are focusing on the positive and even writing them down to solidify the thoughts, adds Pawluk, "What are the positives of going back to school? What are you looking forward to? What do you think is going to be fun?"

Feeling anxious and worried are normal feelings, shares Pawluk, but being proactive rather than reactive can be beneficial.

"If they have worries we want to model problem solving processes for them. Like, let's make a plan, make sure you say hi to your friends on the first day, and make sure you're organized."

Pawluk suggests keeping kids busy and getting them to help can also reduce worries.

"Making sure they are helping, maybe, organizing the lunches, getting their backpack ready and finding their pencil box. So they feel like they have got things to do to get ready."

Children take a long time to get back into 'normal routine' of planning lunches, organizing themselves, and a regular sleep cycle.

"As of really Monday (August 22) we wants kids to be at back to school bedtime, and starting to get back into that habit. If you are well rested, you are more able to manage your emotions better, you're also more ready for learning."'

The crucial thing parents need to do if their child is suffering from major anxiety is,  make sure they still attend school.

"We don't want kids to have anxiety about going to school and then not come, because that just makes it much more likely for them to not want to do it again."

Acknowledge the worry, have a plan, but go every day.

If your child needs extra help with transitioning, Pawluk adds, teachers, guidance counsellors, and CDAs (Child Development Associate) are all extra resources parents can reach out to.