First-Day School Refusal: How to Prepare Your Child Emotionally

Starting school is one of the most important things that may happen to a youngster. Some kids are looking forward to going to school, but others are so scared that they won’t go on their first day. Your youngster isn’t the only one who is acting up. A lot of parents have to deal with this, but you can help their child feel safe and ready if you do the correct things.

Understanding why kids don’t want to go to school

Being difficult to deal with is not the only reason for kids to resist going to school. Impacted children can have a significant emotional response even before they leave for the new place. Children would throw tantrums, like crying or refusing to eat food.

Children are often scared to go into a new environment, and they are not bad, but just scared. Children who struggle with this a lot of the time have really big feelings, and they don’t have an understanding of how to express those feelings or have the skill set to deal with them at that moment.

Signs that someone is anxious before the first day of school

If you can see the early warning signals, you can remedy problems before they get worse. Here are some things to watch out for:

Physical symptoms—Physical symptoms are something to look for in situations like anxiety, maybe a normal headache can become severe if not focused on right time. A stomachache, a fever, or feeling sick might feel fake, but it might be how the body reacts to anxiety.

Maybe normal changes in their moods can depict what they are feeling inside. They might cry a lot, or maybe have trouble sleeping alone, or become more clingy than usual.

Changes can be easily found in how they don’t want to talk about school, or would stay away from school supplies.

What Causes School Separation Anxiety

Many kids who wish to avoid school have anxiety about leaving school. Usually, a child will feel anxious if they’re away from their parents or primary caregivers. This shows that they are preoccupied with the idea of becoming their own person. Parents keep young kids safe and make them feel better. It’s difficult to fathom being away from this nurturing environment for hours at a time.

 Some children find it difficult to be separate from their parents.  Other children find it difficult to be away from their parents after a big change in the family.  After moving or having a baby in the family becomes a trigger for separation anxiety.  You can be more patient and helpful if you have confidence that this is normal anxiety and will not last forever.

Getting Kids Ready Emotionally

Getting your child ready for school psychologically takes time and effort. You don’t want to get rid of all your nerves; it’s normal to have some. You want to make your child feel good about themselves and learn how to solve difficulties.

Start with short separations- take first steps like not taking your child everywhere you go, maybe leave them for some time with your trusted people, maybe their grandmother. Slowly increase the time, and they will become used to it. This shows them that you will always return.

Make good connections-  create an environment that is like school. Make them color or read by themselves until it turns into a habit. Make them learn to eat or do things at a table. 

Talk about feelings-  You can help your child understand their feelings. And help them not to be overwhelmed by school stuff. Stay calm and confident while telling them that their feelings are real.

How to Get Your Child Ready for School in Real Life

You can walk around their school, learn how they take care of kids, and get to know their cafeteria or school activities, if it’s okay. This will make you feel safe about being apart from your child. It’s a lot better if you can meet the teacher before class.

Read books about school together. Reading stories about kids going to school can provide effective communication ideas.

During the summer, do the routine. Waking up your child at the same time will be very helpful to familiarize yourself with what school days will be like.

Read More – How Makoons Prepares Kids for Preschool Life

Dealing with Different Kinds of Anxiety

We all have different experiences about our first day of school, so our children will have different feelings. Some children often stress out about how they will manage their school work, some about being alone, or a few of them just being away from home. When you are nervous and scared, do not let that affect you and give your best.

For people with social anxiety, if you experience social anxiety, play dates and events in your community are fantastic opportunities to improve your social skills. Practice saying hello and sharing. Read books that teach you how to be nice and make friends.

If you are worrying about being separate, make your goodbyes more meaningful, like having your secret goodbye, maybe a special phrase.

Last Thoughts

One thing that parents should learn is to stay patient and actually understand that their child’s feelings are real, not fake; they need to consistently assure their child about the school. A child will eventually learn to be comfortable and have fun in school when they come in the right mindset.

The money and time you spend now to assist your child prepare emotionally ready and learn how to deal with challenges will help them for a long time after that. All you need to do is make kids feel that it’s okay to be terrified about the new change they face, and they will have your back for support.

As a parent, keep calm and have trust in your child that they can handle this. Your youngster will be running into school with confidence and ready to learn and grow in no time.

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