Many children often claim they are unwell as an excuse to miss school. However, when these children persist in saying something is wrong and show symptoms of headache, stomachaches, dizziness, or nausea, it may be deeper, such as school avoidance. In such cases, a doctor may not be able to find a physical illness for their symptoms, which are associated with anxiety. School avoidance is also known as school refusal or school phobia. Similar to other phobias, it ignites anxiety or emotional struggles.
School avoidance is more than just occasionally showing reluctance to go to school. It often involves frequent absences and visible distress, especially on school days. Students with school avoidance may also experience unexplained physical ailments that appear during the week from emotional distress and disappear on the weekends. These ailments include stomach pain, headaches, or hyperventilation. Today, we are exploring four causes of school avoidance and five solutions.
1. Fear of failure or perfectionism:
The burden of meeting the expectations set by the family or teachers often makes children overwhelmed.
2. Bullying or peer pressure:
Many children develop anxiety when attending school because of peer pressure or the ill-treatment they receive from bullies.
3. Anxiety about schoolwork:
Children often struggle to keep up with schoolwork or social pressures, leading to feelings of inadequacy. They may lose confidence and their self-esteem may lower as they fall behind with school work.
4. Teacher-student conflict:
Teachers and students do not always get along well. When children are on bad terms with their teacher for being “mean,” they can develop anxiety.
5. Fear of physical harm:
Many times, children are attacked by other students, creating a hostile environment. This can cause them to be distressed about going to school. They may also worry about other safety concerns at school.
5 Ways Parents Can Help Children with School Avoidance
There are several things parents can do to support their children when their reluctance to go to school persists. If they have anxiety-related symptoms, it is first important to visit the doctor to rule out a physical illness. If your child has chronic anxiety-related symptoms, it is best to consult a mental health professional.
After their paediatrician determines that there is no underlying physical illness, parents can consider emotional triggers and do the following:
1. Talk with Your Child
Parents can create a space where their child feels safe to express their feelings. When speaking to children, parents should be empathetic and encouraging. Words of encouragement to express their fears, concerns, and anxiety can help you understand what is wrong and how to persuade them to return to school or address any school-related issues that are affecting them.
2. Be Firm but Supportive
While it’s important to be understanding, it’s equally crucial to be firm about school attendance. Parents can help them to understand that school attendance is mandatory by law and reassure them. Share relatable experiences to show them that it is natural to experience anxiety, but they should not give up.
3. Work with School Staff
Reach out to your child’s teacher, principal, and nurse, and build strong communication with them, sharing your child’s struggles so that they can be on alert and readily offer assistance when the child is in need. If the child’s distress is related to a difficult teacher or bullying, collaborating with the school staff can help.
4. Monitor Online Activity
Bullying is many times extended beyond school grounds, resulting in students being harassed online. Parents should monitor their children’s online activities so that they do not experience cyberbullying. This significantly contributes to anxiety and avoidance behaviours. If your child is a victim of cyberbullying, you can speak to the school to help resolve the issue.
