It is upsetting for any parent to find out that their child is unhappy at school. Some of the most common reasons children may feel they ‘hate’ school are feelings of anxiety, learning difficulties and bullying. The start of a new term can also cause children to feel emotional and reluctant to get back into a school routine.
If your child doesn’t want to go to school and have noticed regular excuses, then it is time to investigate further. There could be an issue at school that requires your attention.
Here are some great tips from a preparatory school in London to help your child develop a more positive attitude towards school…
Talk to your child
Trust your instincts! If your child seems unhappy about going to school, the most important thing you can do is discuss their feelings. This could take time, so be patient and reassuring. Let your child know that whatever the issue is, you will help to make things better.
Encourage an early bedtime
To make mornings feel less stressful, it is a good idea to encourage earlier bedtimes and prepare school uniform and equipment each evening. Having a good night’s sleep can also improve your child’s mental health and emotional wellbeing.
Have fun after school
Children often have so much fun over the holidays that they feel sad when it comes to an end. To combat the ‘back to school blues,’ it is important to keep up some of those fun activities after school. When kids see that school doesn’t necessarily mean giving up on the fun, they’re less likely to have negative feelings about it.
Make a study space
To get your child excited about school and to encourage a positive attitude towards learning, you could set up a special study space at home. To make their new space feel extra special, you could let them choose how it is decorated and add some of their favourite stationery supplies.
Home comforts
If you think your child is suffering from separation anxiety, allow them to take a small object in their school bag that acts as a comforter. This could be something like a small toy or family photo. You could also surprise your child with a secret note in their lunch box with words of encouragement.
