For many families, the start of a new school year brings a mix of excitement and apprehension. New teachers, new classmates, academic expectations, and changes in routine can be challenging for children of all ages. While some children adapt quickly, others struggle with worry, sadness, shyness, or nervous anticipation.

Particularly for the youngest set, starting daycare for the first time or kindergarten and a new school can be traumatic for the child and even for the parent. For the more established school-goers, memories of the previous year, where it didn’t go so well academically or socially, can be daunting.

Homeopaths have long recognized that children respond to stress in different ways. Rather than focusing solely on the situation itself, homeopathy considers the unique way each child experiences and expresses their emotions.

Here are several remedies that may be worth considering when a child is struggling with anxiety about school:

Pulsatilla: The Child Who Doesn't Want to Be Left

Some children become tearful and clingy at the thought of separation. They may cry easily, seek affection, and want constant reassurance from a parent.

Children who benefit from this remedy are gentle, yielding, and emotional. They are usually quite shy by nature, blushing with embarrassment when addressed, often weep readily, and feel better from sympathy, comfort, and company. Being alone may feel especially difficult, and their distress is often relieved by loving attention and reassurance.

Some additional indications for Pulsatilla: This remedy is more suited to a child with low thirst, and who always feels better outdoors in the fresh, cool air. They often have a history of frequent colds.

When a child seems inconsolable until they are held, comforted, or reassured, Pulsatilla may deserve consideration.

Ignatia: Grief, Disappointment, and Emotional Upset

Not every child expresses distress through clinginess. Some become intensely emotional, alternating between crying, irritability, and withdrawal.

Ignatia is a remedy for acute emotional suffering, grief, disappointment, and suppressed emotions. Sighing is a prominent feature, as are sudden mood changes. A child who needs Ignatia may seem deeply affected by a loss, separation, or an upsetting transition.

Unlike the Pulsatilla child, they may not always welcome consolation and can appear sensitive, conflicted, or difficult to comfort.

Silicea: Timid and Self-Conscious

School can be especially challenging for children who are shy and lack confidence in social situations.

Silicea is a great remedy to consider for children who are timid, embarrassed easily, and lack self-confidence. These children may hesitate to participate, fear being observed, or avoid situations that place them in the spotlight. They often appear reserved and may struggle with anticipation before events they perceive as demanding.

Their anxiety is frequently quiet and inward rather than dramatic.

A Silicea child does not like to be consoled and can get very angry if they are approached when sad or scared.

Those needing Silicea are typically chilly and sweat a lot, especially from the feet or head in sleep. The sweat often has a sour or “off” smell. They are frequently picky eaters, may have digestive problems, and are often thinner than average as a result. They can be pale and undernourished-looking. They often have a history of late teething.

Lycopodium: Fear of Failure Despite Ability

Many parents recognize the child who studies hard, prepares thoroughly, and still worries excessively about performance.

A child needing Lycopodium is often characterized by anticipatory anxiety, lack of self-confidence, and fear of undertaking new responsibilities. The child may doubt their abilities even when they are well prepared. Public speaking, tests, recitals, and classroom presentations can provoke considerable nervousness.

A characteristic feature is that confidence often improves once the event has begun. The greatest anxiety is frequently beforehand. In general, these kids get angry very easily, especially when contradicted, are bossy by nature, and have a hard time making decisions. When stressed, they frequently have digestive problems, as that is a weak point.

Gelsemium: Stage Fright and Examination Nerves

Some children become overwhelmed by anticipation. Instead of appearing emotional, they become quiet, sluggish, weak, or mentally dull from nervousness.

Gelsemium is a great remedy for the effects of fear, fright, and anticipation. The child may feel shaky, tired, heavy, or unable to think clearly before an examination, performance, or presentation. They may complain that their minds go blank when they need them most. Loose stools may also be present before a big event.

When nervousness produces weakness, trembling, or a sense of paralysis rather than emotional outbursts, Gelsemium may be considered.

Many kids in my practice have taken this remedy before important exams and felt immediately calmer. Try it!

Remember (particularly if you’re new to homeopathy), the key to choosing the correct/helpful remedy is always the same. One must match the “characteristic symptoms” (i.e., unusual or peculiar) of the person you are caring for (not the common ones like a headache, sore throat, cough, fever, etc.) to a remedy capable of producing similar characteristic symptoms to have success. If you choose a remedy with characteristics most similar to the characteristic symptoms of your family member, you should have a happy outcome every time. If you don't, they will either feel no effect or one that is mildly positive at best, but there is never a bad effect from choosing the “incorrect” remedy.

Once you have chosen a remedy that appears to match your symptoms, dose with a 30C or 200C potency to start, by placing one pellet under the tongue or one pellet in water, stirring vigorously (the pellet does not need to be completely dissolved before dosing), and then giving a teaspoon dose as needed. Always cease dosing when relief begins, and only redose if symptoms worsen again. And as with any medical condition, consult with your physician if you have any concerns about the severity of the problem, as it may first require medical diagnosis and/or intervention and monitoring.

About Dr. Lisa Samet:

Dr. Lisa Samet, N.D., provides Washington Homeopathic Products with a regular column on using homeopathy for the family. She's a naturopathic physician who specializes in homeopathic medicine. Dr. Samet graduated from the Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine in 1998 and has been practicing in Montreal since then. She was born and raised in New York.

Dr. Samet has chosen to focus on homeopathy because, in her experience, it is the deepest healing modality available, as it does not just soothe or palliate symptoms but actually stimulates the body to begin healing itself. Dr. Samet sees patients in her Montreal office as well as long-distance using Zoom, Skype, or FaceTime. Learn more here: Dr. Lisa Samet. You can follow her on Facebook as well.