Starting school is an exciting time for all parents and children. Throughout school life, children complete the most important steps of their individual and social development processes.
Especially during the period of starting primary school, some children may have difficulty separating from their parents, or a child who has no problems in attending school may suddenly experience some biopsychosocial difficulties in order not to go to school.
The concept of school refusal can be defined as the anxious reactions of a school-age child to going to school. School refusal can occur in three different situations; It is the anxiety that children who have just started primary school feel about being separated from their parents. Generally, the child is expected to adapt after a short period of time. The second situation is when the child does not want to go to school due to a disturbing or frightening situation in the school environment. For example, it is normal for a child who has been harmed by his friends to be afraid of going to school. Thirdly, situations in which the anxiety of separation from the family is intensely experienced are observed. The child may refuse to go to school because he experiences intense stress in case of separation from home and parents.
School refusal creates a serious problem for the child, family and school staff. Refusing to go to school can have negative effects on the child's social, emotional and academic development in the short and long term.
For children aged 5-6 who start school, separating from their parents, adapting to a new social environment, social Building relationships is a challenging process. During this period, children who are overprotected by their parents, who are not taught rules and limitations, and who are not emotionally mature for their age, have more difficulties than their other peers. However, in some cases, even if the child has the maturity and skills necessary to start school, the problem of school refusal may arise. It is determined that the causes of school refusal are related to factors related to the child's personality characteristics, family environment or school environment.
For this reason, when parents encounter school refusal, they should carefully investigate the source of the problem that worries and disturbs the child. With the support of school teachers and experts, the problem will be resolved as soon as possible and, if possible, without school attendance. It should be solved by allowing the least amount of permission. If the process takes longer, seeking expert help and getting professional help should not be avoided.
As a parent, it is important to get help from the classroom teacher and school counselor to investigate the reasons for not wanting to go to school. Working together and in cooperation will be the most effective solution for your child. Listen to your child to understand what the problem is. Encourage him to tell you what worries, upsets and scares him.
One of the most important things in dealing with school refusal is to ensure that the child continues school. After physical checks, parents should send the child to school unless the doctor recommends otherwise.
It is necessary to give the child the opportunity to talk about the situation or situations that worry him and to try to understand the causes of the problem in order to find the right solution.
In cases of long-term and severe school refusal, the family should consult a Psychological Counselor for professional help.
No matter how challenging the problem is for the child and the family, we must approach it with patience and accurately identify the factors that cause school refusal and regulate them. Efforts must be made.
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