YOUR CURE FOR THE BACK-TO-SCHOOL BLUES PRESSURE ON KIDS, ACADEMICALLY AND SOCIALLY, NEEDS SOME RELIEF.

Byline: NAUSH BOGHOSSIAN

Staff Writer

With just days before hundreds of thousands of Los Angeles youngsters head back to school, a growing number of children and parents in the San Fernando Valley and elsewhere are experiencing what psychologists say is a very real problem: back-to-school blues.

For as long as there's been summer break and the jarring transition back to school in September, most kids have felt the fluttering in their stomachs the day they know their laissez-faire summers have officially come to an end.

But with increasing pressures on students, both academically and socially -- and higher expectations to succeed -- the anxiety has become crippling for a growing number of youngsters.

"There's definitely more anxiety in kids today. We put way too much pressure on kids to be academically successful and we force them to be little adults as opposed to permitting them to be kids," said Paul Royer, a Pasadena licensed clinical social worker who has been practicing with children, teens and their families for 17 years.

Royer cited a surgeon general study several years ago that showed a marked increase in anxiety disorders in children and adolescents.

"It's harder to be a kid today than it ever was; there's more information they have to digest than ever, more pressure to perform and academic peer pressure," Royer said.

"Some is normal adjustment (to the new school year), but also it's very, very difficult being a kid today and we have to be aware of that."

Allison Bartolome, who just finished middle school, said Tuesday that she's anxious about her first day at Glendale High because she's already worrying about getting into college -- and geometry class.

"For me, it gets me nervous because I'm scared that I might not be able to meet the requirements for college," said the 15-year-old who wants to either be a forensic psychiatrist or photographer.

Roi Arlante, 17, is entering his senior year at Glendale High and is feeling pressure not only from his parents but to adjust to a new environment.

"Now it's brand-new subjects, brand-new teachers and brand-new classmates. It's always the first day I'm nervous, because you don't know anybody and you're starting new," said Arlante.

"My parents want me to go to a good college, so I'm worried about academics."

Royer said parents can help reduce anxiety by re-establishing school routines to slowly move from a summer of generally no structure to the structured days of a school year.

Managing free time

About a week before the first day of school, parents can begin to manage free time during the day, decrease screen time -- in front of computers, video games and televisions -- enforce earlier bedtimes and waking hours, re-establish good breakfast routines, and have some reading time in the evening, he said.

Also, arranging play dates before school or reconnecting with classmates would help kids get excited about getting back to school, experts suggest.

Parents may also have the child participate in getting ready for school -- such as buying school supplies, picking out backpacks and planning what to wear on the first day back.

But most importantly, parents need to allow kids to talk about their anxieties and listen to their fears, Royer said.

"Listen to your child's stress level. As much as we want school to be about academics, it's a very social place, so the parents have to be able to listen," Royer said.

"And make sure that you have a good, open communication between yourself and teachers."

Royer recalled a case last year in which a teenager had a "complete meltdown" on the first day of school and sobbed every morning because of the pressure in the family over succeeding.

Parent Martha Sanchez has already sent two of her children off to the University of California at Berkeley and she hopes that her other children will achieve the same academic success.

"I'm trying to, but let's see what happens. I'm not saying that all kids are the same," the 46-year-old said.

Beth Kauffman, coordinator of psychological services at the LAUSD for most Valley schools, said younger children are anxious about basic safety issues while older children are anxious about peers and academics.

"It's important for parents to reassure the child that they're not alone, they're not the only one going through this and to make it clear what to anticipate when school starts," Kauffman said.

Communication key

Kauffman said it's also key to keep the lines of communication between parents and children open, encourage children to ask questions and to be positive.

"It's important for parents to be positive and not to share or display any anxiety to the child because children pick it up," Kauffman said.

"Point out the positive aspects of returning to school, that it'll be fun, you'll see your friends."

Kauffman also recommended that parents call the school to see whether they can arrange a visit, meet teachers or get a map for the older kids so they can plan their routes between classes.

Royer said there can be some value in visiting the campus in advance, but that parents run the risk of being "helicopter parents" -- hovering and doing nothing but standing over their kids and micromanaging.

Many parents also get too focused on their children's performance -- including their ability to make friends and get good grades -- which sets unrealistic standards, Royer said.

"The key for parents is that you have to listen and be understanding of their needs, but you can't jump in there and do too much," Royer said. "It's a balancing act."

Kauffman reassured parents that teachers and staffers in the Los Angeles Unified School District -- where classes start next Wednesday for more than 700,000 students -- are trained to deal with anxious children.

"My experience has been that children often recover inside the door of the classroom much quicker than parents recover outside the door of the classroom," Kauffman said.

"Sometimes I've gone in with a child when they're upset. They've stopped crying, and I'll walk out and the parent is still upset."

naush.boghossian(at)dailynews.com

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The signs

Physical illness

Excessive crying or moodiness

Avoidance behaviors such as purposely missing the bus

Aggressiveness

Lack of appetite

Withdrawal from family activities

The remedy

Make sure students get a good night's sleep

Start the back-to-school routine a week early to acclimate youngsters

Check out the school and schedule in advance

Develop a plan for the first day of school. For young children, set out clothes and other items to rehearse how things will go

Seek support from teachers and administrators

Get support from families of other students

Communicate early and often.

SOURCE:

Daily News research

CAPTION(S):

2 photos, 2 boxes

Photo:

(1 -- color) With increasing pressures on students and higher expectations to succeed, anxiety about returning to school after vacation has become crippling for a growing number of young people.

(2 -- color) For as long as there's been summer break and the jarring transition back to school, kids have felt the fluttering in their stomachs the day they know their summers have ended.

Photo illustration by Tina Burch/Staff Photographer

Box:

(1) The signs (see text)

(2) The remedy (see text)