If you are a parent, there is nothing more upsetting than seeing your child struggle with school phobia. The tears, tantrums, and constant anxiety of this situation can be overwhelming and unpleasant for both you and your child. School phobia has many underlying reasons, but the good news is that it is a rather common and treatable condition. With the right approach and support, you can help your child overcome their fears and thrive in their school life and academic endeavours.
What is school phobia?
School phobia, also known as school refusal, is a condition where a child shows extreme anxiety or fear about going to school. Children with this anxiety might continuously refuse to go to school, reasoning it with physical ailments like headaches or stomachaches, or throw tantrums and show aggression.
Causes of school phobia
Children are extremely sensitive to their surroundings, and many factors affect and shape their behaviours. School phobia
can be caused by a variety of factors, and some of them are:
Bullying or social anxiety: Children who are teased or bullied at school by peers or suffer from social anxiety may develop
school phobia as a coping mechanism to deal with those stressful situations.
Academic pressure: Children who struggle to keep up with their academic workload might also develop this condition.
Separation anxiety: Being separated from their parents or caretakers will be a new and frightening experience for children,
and this separation anxiety is another major factor that can contribute to the development of school phobia in children.
Other conditions: Children who have experienced trauma, stress, or suffer from conditions like anxiety, depression, or ADHD
may also develop school phobia to cope with these conditions.
Signs and symptoms of school phobia
Children who are struggling with school phobia usually show definite signs of it, and some of them are:
Constant absence: If your child is constantly finding reasons not to go to school or exhibits extreme anxiety about attending
school, it is a definite sign of school phobia.
They are always sick: Is your child always complaining about headaches, stomachaches, and nausea on school days? If yes,
it is definitely a sign of their refusal to go to school.
Behavioural problems: When children struggle with the anxiety stress of this condition, they might start exhibiting
behavioural problems like tantrums, aggression, withdrawal, and avoidance when they are forced to go to school.
The best way to help your child overcome school phobia
School phobia can cause many problems in your child's life, including academic setbacks, isolation, and further stress
and anxiety. It is a sensitive condition and should be handled very carefully. Every child is unique, and they all have
unique problems, but there are some initial steps you can take to address this issue and help your precious one.
Show compassion: To address school phobia successfully, first you need to understand the reason behind it. As a parent,
you need to make your child safe and show compassion for them to open up and share their struggles.
Communication and combined effort: Communication between you and your child, as well as their teachers and school
administrators, can also help you figure out the underlying issues. A combined effort from parents and teachers will
definitely work in your child’s favour.
Address their social or academic struggles: If academic or social struggles are reasons for your child’s school phobia,
addressing them and providing them with the right help to overcome them is a very important step. Help your child build
their self-esteem and confidence so that they feel more comfortable and secure in the school environment.
Positive reinforcement: Showing positive reinforcement and acknowledging your child’s small steps will motivate them to
take more steps towards overcoming their school phobia.
Gradual exposure to the school environment: Without overwhelming your child, gradually exposing them to the school
environment can help them become more comfortable with the idea of going to school.
Professional help: If the issue is severe, seeking the help of a professional therapist or school counsellor can
provide your child with the right support and guidance they need to overcome this phobia.
Conclusion
School phobia is a condition that can affect your child's academic and emotional well-being. But the right approach and collaborative efforts from parents, teachers, and school authorities can make a big difference and help your children overcome this condition. Sadhbhavana World School is one of the best international schools in Kerala, and we believe in providing a supportive and inclusive environment for children to overcome their fears and achieve their full potential. Offering both Cambridge and CBSE curriculums, we are also among the top Cambridge schools in Kerala! Connect with us to know more about our admission process!