RESEDA, Calif. — As schools reopen across Southern California, some students are feeling anxious about going back. Parents, teachers and local officials are tasked with making sure they feel safe while at school.

Sheena House, a mother from Reseda, has been preparing her 5 year old daughter Vivian for in-person learning at Los Angeles Unified School District. She's used a "Cures of Colors" coloring book to help her understand how to stay safe in her pre-kindergarten classroom.

Vivian knows what to do when she's at school.

"Keeping your distance, wearing your mask and washing your hands and taking your vitamin," she said.

Practicing how to stop the spread is key to transitioning back to school. Dr. Blanca Orellana, who works at the Nathanson Family Resilience Center at UCLA, said students feel anxious about returning and need to know their safety is a priority.

"It's a balance of reassuring them that they're going to be safe now that they're away from their parents and away from home but also want them to be careful and keep these protocols in place," Orellana said.

In addition to safety, Orellana said students are feeling anxious about disrupting the routine of learning at home.

"Children being able to do work at their own pace as opposed to being in those classroom constraints it's been a lot easier for them," Orellana said. "So there is some anxiety about going back and actual school performance."

Practicing safety has helped Vivian feel safe at school. She's been back in her classroom for two days, and she's already learned new ways to be distant but social with her friends.