Choosing a new school for your child can always be difficult as the settling-in period can be lengthy and stressful. The majority of the time, parents have hope that their child will get used to the routine and feel less anxious over time at the thought of school. However, some students struggle to overcome the nerves and anxiety and grow to just hate school all around. Not only does this affect their development and learning, but it becomes stressful for parents as well. Many times, it is difficult to figure out what factors are making your child dislike school so much. If your child is currently not wanting to go to school then you’ve come to the right place. Here is some advice from an independent school in Hampstead on what to do if your child hates school.
Anxiety
One of the main reasons children don’t like school is because it gives them anxiety. Separation anxiety is quite common and frequently occurs when the child is struggling with a new school or is going through family stress. Parents have to understand that their responses can make separation anxiety worse. ‘I’ll see you at 3’ is better than ‘if you need me I’ll come back in 15 minutes’ because it doesn’t allow the child to ease themselves into the situation. Family stresses at home are inevitable but parents should do their best to manage them and stop their children from being in the line of fire. If your child is worried about standing up in class and presenting, then practice skills at home with them to improve their confidence. Be sure to reassure them and encourage them to do their best.
Loneliness
As difficult as it is to hear, some children grow to hate school because they have no friends. Your child may not openly tell you that they don’t have friends but signs such as faking illnesses to avoid going to school or constantly buying gifts for peers for validation purposes. Lonely children usually lack a few social skills and a lot of confidence. If your child is lacking friends right now, introduce them to a new extracurricular club where they have the opportunity to strengthen their skills and make friends too.
Bullies
Bullies can be one of the quickest ways for a child to hate school. Not only will they grow to resent it, but they can also fear attending too. Keep an eye out for quiet and anxious behaviour and any changes you see in your child since attending school. If it is a bully, deal with the issue straight away by taking it to the teachers. Schools have a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to bullying so ensure your child that the problem will be dealt with.
At the end of the day, it can’t be controlled if a child will or will not like school. However, once the cause is found, decisions and measures can be put into place to ensure your child can also enjoy their school experience just like everyone else.
