Summer holidays are almost over and many children and parents are getting worried about going back to school in September.
In the UK children start school at a young age of four. By the time they start school, many children have already spent some time in nursery or with a child minder. However, the demands of school are very different; children are expected so sit still for longer periods of time, they have to listen to teachers instructions and they are less likely to cater for the child’s individual needs.

Some children thrive in a school environment, some are simply too young and not ready for this level of stimulation and activity.

Many children suffer from separation anxiety – the fear of separation from their parents, home or other familiar surrounding. It is common for children (and parents) to experience feelings of anxiety, which is perfectly normal. These feelings are often caused by a fear of the unknown, as the child has no point of reference to draw upon when they are faced with a new environment or experience.
It can affect children of all ages. The first day of preschool, in a new room or class, can bring on a reoccurrence of separation anxiety in children who were previously settled.

The good news is that parents can use a number of gentle, alternative therapies, as well as supplements to support their children while they are going through a phase of separation anxiety.
If you are concerned about your child going through a period of anxiety, I suggest you take them to see a kinesiologist and they will help you to find the root cause of the problem and will support your child with supplements and remedies that are tested out on your child and tailored to their individual needs.

As a Psychological Kinesiologist, I use complementary approaches in my clinic to help children with separation anxiety. If your child is finding it difficult to settle in to school, you must look at emotional issues.
I use kinesiology, primitive reflex testing, EFT, EMDR, breathing techniques, mindfulness, nutritional and diet counselling and supplement recommendations.

In my experience the following nutritional and herbal supplements are the most beneficial for children suffering from separation anxiety:Magnesium: Magnesium deficiency if often linked to anxiety. Increasing your child’s magnesium intake is easy, some seeds like pumpkin, sunflower, flax and sesame are high in magnesium and can be added to children’s food or as a snack.

I also recommend Epsom Salt baths, as the easiest way to absorb magnesium is through the skin.
Just add a big handful of Epsom salts to your child’s bath 2 or 3 times a week. Allow the child to soak in there for at least 20 minutes.

Footbath: This is a great way to calm an anxious mind. Find a quiet room in the evening, dim the lights; this enables child to take in surroundings quietly. Sit on chair, put feet into warm footbath, with a calming essential oil, such as lavender – a lovely smell for the sensitive senses. You can also put marbles into the water so they can play with them with their toes and feel their feet. Place a warm towel over knees for comfort and security. Squeeze some lemon juice also into the footbath. Colder hands and feet can lead to bladder weakness, going to the toilet all the time. Daily footbaths can help to ground and centre children.

Omega 3 Fatty Acids

Omega 3 fatty acids have been shown in countless studies to have tremendous health benefits as well as mental health benefits.
Anxiety levels can increase with the over-consumption of pro- inflammatory omega-6 fatty acids in relation to anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids. It is very important that your child has a healthy balance of these fatty acids.
Supplementing daily with good quality Omega 3 oil is a MUST for adults and children. It is important to ensure the oil they are taking is fresh and pure, otherwise it could actually do them more harm than good.

Vitamin B Complex

When your child is going through any type of anxiety, nervousness, tension, it is important to increase their vitamin B intake in order to decrease anxious symptoms. !
Food sources of B complex include:
• Pork, berries, legumes, lean meats. Nuts, soy milk (Vitamin B1)
• Eggs, dark green vegetables, fish, grains, lean meat, mushrooms (B2)
• Sunflower seeds, tuna, poultry, potato, cottage cheese, liver (B3)
• Organ meats, avocados, broccoli, mushrooms (B5)
• Green beans, whole grains, spinach, fish, bananas (B6)
• Soy products, egg yolks, fish, organ meats, cheese, sweet potatoes (B7)
• Green leafy vegetables, citrus juice, legumes, tofu, tomato juice (B9)
• Milk, fish, fortified breakfast cereal, eggs, shellfish (B12)

Flower Remedies:

Walnut: This remedy will help your child to settle and adapt to a new routine and adjust to their new surrounding.

Mimulus: this remedy works for a child that’s nervous or afraid. It will help them feel more secure.

Aspen: use this remedy if your child’s fears are vague and non-specific.

Chicory: Use this remedy if your child does not want to leave you, clings, cries and screams in an attempt to stop you leaving the school gates.

Administration of remedies: dilute 2 drops of the required remedy into a 30ml bottle of water. From this bottle give your child 4 drops, 4 times daily.

Homeopathic remedies:

Pulsatilla: this remedy is indicated for children who find separation hard and do not want to let the parent go. They tend to be clingy and latch on to a teacher or other adult.

Lycompdium: this is for children who make a huge amount of fuss about going to school but settle quickly once the parent has left. Use is with children who are nervous about speaking up in class or performing in assemblies, whereas at home they rule the roost.

Calc Carb: For children who find change or new routine difficult. They tend to be nervous about joining in with other children but once they are used to the new situation they are fine.

Using supplements to treat separation anxiety is only one piece of the puzzle. Always focus on a holistic approach, applying methods for the body (i.e. kinesiology, homeopathy, supplements, diet), mind (i.e. counselling, mindfulness techniques) and environment (i.e. family dynamics, spending time in nature, living space modifications).