Two Things to Say to a Child Returning to In-Person School (& Two You Should Avoid)

Going back to school is always nerve-wracking, but this year may be extra scary. A lot of kids haven’t seen their peers in over year because of virtual learning, and that means all those first-day jitters are going to be amplified. And with the pandemic still making things uncertain, there’s sure to be some anxiety around going back to an in-person classroom.

That’s why we called on Lea Lis, MD, child psychiatrist and author of No Shame, to give us some advice on the best way to mitigate anxiety as children go back to school this year. Find out the two things to say to a child returning to in-person school and the two you should try to avoid.