The new school year brings with it a range of emotions for both the child and parent including nerves, excitement, anticipation and curiosity. For some this experience is a wonderful opportunity to flex their independence and embrace new experiences. For others however, new unfamiliar experiences can feel overwhelming and distressing.  At different stages of development it is normal to experience anxiety around separation and will be experienced more or less intensely for each child. There are a number of things that you can do as a parent to ease and manage any anxiety your child may be experiencing in relation to beginning at school or nursery this year.