"It's normal to experience all kinds of emotions. And 1when it comes to school, when it comes to kids, they're no different."
Licensed therapist Jody Baumstein with Children's Healthcare of Atlanta's Strong4Life program says young people don't always have the language to tell us what they're feeling.
"That's why we have to look at their behavior as a sign and a form of communication and be curious about what it is that they're trying to communicate."
Baumstein says warning signs can include stomach aches and headaches with no 2medical cause, 3avoiding school, 4procrastinating in the morning to 5intentionally delay going to class or miss the bus. Others may 6display a "no care" 7attitude about school or be the 8class clownacting like schoolwork doesn't matter.
"They might be worried about failing and would rather not even start or not even try and act like they don't care."
Baumstein says to get to the root of what's going on by asking 9open-ended questions without leading the child. Then, listen and 10validatewhat's said instead of 11dismissing it. She says focusing on the effort, not the outcome, can also help 12ease pressure.
"So instead of, 'I'm so proud of all the A's you've gotten this year.' 'I'm proud of how hard you're working.'"
Finally, help children find a balance. Don't allow school to be their entire 13identity.
"There's lots of time to be creative, 14unwind, relax, and have fun."
