Parent's guide: understanding anxiety & school refusal
As we enter another school year, excitement buzzes in the air. However, for some children, school sparks fear rather than joy. The challenge of re-engaging with peers can fuel considerable anxiety, leading to what we call school refusal.
What Does School Refusal Mean?
School refusal is a term used when children resist attending school due to anxieties or worries.
These worries may stem from learning difficulties, social issues, or fear of leaving home. The symptoms of school refusal can be physical too, such as headaches or stomach pains, making it challenging for parents to determine if their child is genuinely unwell or if these symptoms are a reaction to school-related stress.
Separation anxiety plays a significant role in school refusal. Children might express fear about leaving their parents or being outside their familiar environments. This fear is particularly pronounced after long breaks, such as summer holidays, when returning to school can seem overwhelming.
Steps Parents Can Take
Understanding your child's fears is crucial to addressing school refusal. Open communication and a trustworthy environment are key for children to feel comfortable sharing their worries. The concerns may range from learning difficulties, bullying, or problems with friends or teachers.
Identifying and addressing the issue is equally important as school refusal can become a long-standing problem, particularly as the child gets older. If left unaddressed, the original source of anxiety may be forgotten, and staying at home becomes a preferred option over facing school's challenges.
Signs of School Refusal
School refusal often comes with warning signs.
These might include:
Attending school less than half the time in the past month
Tearfulness or increased physical complaints
Social isolation or decreased participation in class activities
Difficulty concentrating
How Can Parents Help?
Regardless of your situation, here are five strategies to support your child in overcoming school refusal:
Preparation
Discuss the positive aspects of school, and involve your child in preparing for the school year by shopping for school supplies together.
Open Communication
Regularly check in on your child's feelings about school and reassure them that feeling uncomfortable is normal.
Trial Runs
Practice school routines at home, like waking up on time and preparing for school or have a look around the school grounds together to help connect to the school environment.
Professional Assistance
Seek mental health support services such as Rose Phoenix Health if your child needs extra help navigating their fears.
. School Support
Work with the school's wellbeing team to explore a gradual return to school if necessary.
Remember, early intervention is key to successfully treating school refusal. The longer the child stays away from school, the harder it becomes for them to return.
Rose Phoenix Health offers youth mental health services and can provide support in such situations. Feel free to reach out to Valerie Judge at Rose Phoenix Health on 0478 129 135 to discuss how our mental health services in Australia can help your child.
Every child deserves to feel safe and comfortable in their learning environment.
For last minute preparations, you can hear more from clinical psychologist, Cameron Hoo HERE. You’ve got this!
Understanding and addressing school refusal is a significant step towards ensuring this. If you need specialist help navigating this challenging issue, don't hesitate to contact Valerie Judge at Rose Phoenix Health on 0478 129 123 for support.