Overcoming School Anxiety: How to Help Your Child Deal With Separation,
Tests, Homework, Bullies, Math Phobia, and Other Worries by
Diane Peters Mayer, M.S.W., L.S.W.
Every year, more than 68 million students
of every age find themselves worrying excessively
about their first day of school, even before it begins.
Their hearts race, their stomachs turn, and their
palms sweat just thinking about getting on the school
bus for the first time, that first pop quiz, or that
notoriously strict teacher. For parents of these children,
nothing can be more upsetting than dropping their
kids off on the first day of school, wondering how
they will cope. Now, they can stop worrying and start
helping. As a seasoned psychotherapist, Diane Peters
Mayer has successfully treated hundreds of elementary
school students suffering from this common disorder.
In Overcoming School Anxiety, she shows parents how
to deal with a wide variety of problems, from test
and homework anxiety, to bullying, and fear of speaking
up in class. Mayer also offers easy-to-learn techniques
for children including breathing and relaxation exercises,
focusing techniques, and tips on proper diet and exercise
that help relieve stress. Filled with real-life examples
as well as proven advice for working with teachers,
principals, and counselors, this is the only comprehensive
guide that will enable every parent to help a child
cope, build confidence, and succeed in school.
REVIEWS:
"If you’ve ever witnessed your child
having a panic attack or heard him wail in horror
as you put him on the school bus, you’re no
stranger to school anxiety. For most children going
to school presents no real problem. But for children
who suffer from anxiety disorders, school is a source
of fear and agony.
Knowing the truth about school
anxiety can prevent many morning family battles.
Overcoming School Anxiety: How to Help Your Child
Deal With Separation, Tests, Homework, Bullies,
Math Phobia, and Other Worries explains what school
anxiety is, who it happens to, and why it happens.
It also explains some traditional and nontraditional
ways of treating the problem. Perhaps even more
important, the book explains why your child might
very well be telling the truth when he complains
of a headache or dizziness right before school..."Parentsdigest.com
"The first day of school is
often one filled with anxiety for students of
every age. Parents often worry how they will cope
at school. Overcoming School Anxiety by Diane
Peters Mayer ($16.00, Amacom softcover) addresses
a whole range of problems. Its author, a psychotherapist
who has worked with school-anxious children and
their parents, has a good track record. Filled
with real-life examples, this book will prove
very helpful for any parent whose child is unable
to stop worrying, has panic attacks, has problems
taking tests, or low esteem among the many problems
common to youth." Review by Alan Caruba, Bookviews.com
"Overcoming School Anxiety is
empowering for both parent and child." Betty
Ann Castaneda, parent, California
"I see this book as an
invaluable tool that will stay by my bedside throughout
my daughter’s school career." Lisa Nero,
parent, California
"I would strongly recommend
it to any teacher or parent as a practical guidebook
to better understanding and aiding our youth." Waldemar
Plichta, ME, foreign language teacher, Cedar Crest
High School, Lebanon, Pennsylvania
"Not only does it outline
easy-to-understand principles, guidelines, and
applied techniques tailored to specific problems,
it does so in empowering ways that curtail guilt
and defeat. I am already implementing these concepts
into my practice, and because the book cuts across
professional and nonprofessional boundaries, I
can recommend it not only to colleagues and clients
but to family and friends as well." Karen
Carter Katz, LCSW, BCD, Clinical Social Worker,
private practice, Doylestown, Pennsylvania
"A clear, concise, systematic
guide for parents to approach a difficult and
often insurmountable problem. An excellent resource
for schools. A must for staff and parents." Missy
Leinbach, parent/elementary Spanish teacher, Ambler,
Pennsylvania