Tips for parents dealing with back-to-school uncertainty, anxiety

New survey says most parents worried about upcoming school year

DETROIT – The upcoming 2020-21 school year will come with never-before seen challenges.

A new survey finds that parents are worried about the impact it may have on their children.

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The Kirura family is preparing to go back to go back to school. While they plan to return to in-person learning, it’s hardly business as usual.

According to a national survey by Nationwide Children’s Hospital, 90% of parents have concerns about the upcoming school year -- with about two-in-five worrying about their children’s emotional health. A similar rate to concerns about physical health such as exposure to germs and the risk of bringing COVID-19 home.

Behavioral health experts claim parents don’t have to pretend to have all the answers, but should be reassuring.

“Talking about it early and often to tell them, ‘Here’s what I know right now. And here’s what I don’t know right now. And your teachers and your principal are working really hard to come up with a plan that keeps you safe,‘” said Dr. Parker Huston.

While even the school supplies may look different, try to focus on the positives.

If your child will be going back to a classroom, experts said it’s important to practice wearing a mask at home while reading and playing to help them get used to the idea.

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About the Authors:

You can watch Kimberly Gill weekdays anchoring Local 4 News at 5 p.m., 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. and streaming live at 10 p.m. on Local 4+. She's an award-winning journalist who finally called Detroit home in 2014. Kim has won Regional Emmy Awards, and was part of the team that won the National Edward R. Murrow Award for Best Newscast in 2022.

Dane is a producer and media enthusiast. He previously worked freelance video production and writing jobs in Michigan, Georgia and Massachusetts. Dane graduated from the Specs Howard School of Media Arts.