Is your child anxious about going to school?
Parents with children just moving into preschools or schools in most cases experience initial resistance from children not wanting to go to school. While this dilemma could be a starting trouble for most of the kids, researchers suggest that children require counseling or in some cases medical treatment. Issues seem to be rising among preschoolers.
A parent needs to know if the tantrums of children on not wanting to go to school are genuine or just a reason to avoid going to school. A friend of mine whose daughter had to go to preschool complained of pain in the legs and was asked to stay back. In no time the child was excited, wanting to play.
Anxiety a seemingly more common problem today
Children with school anxiety will display fear or throw tantrums. Usually, they show resistance when it is time to go to school. This is especially with preschoolers or nursery going children. In some case, children do not sleep and look disturbed because they think about school the next morning. Preschools or nurseries in the UAE start between 7 to 8 am. Resistance in some cases is so strong that they cry, create tantrums and are just not willing to go even after coaxing or coercing. This is because of fear of the unknown, new environment or is not able to mingle with others.
For some children, this might be the first few days at school but what is of concern is about the children who struggle with this kind of anxiety every day.
How can you as a parent help your child avoid this kind of anxiety?
Preschoolers to have some separation anxiety at first, this is just at the beginning and will subside within few days or a couple of weeks. If it is a preschool or nursery with the 3 years old whose communication or language might not have developed enough can prevent him or her from communicating thus causing anxiety in the child resulting in not wanting to go to school
Communicate with your child, let the child know that it is quite normal to feel a little anxious about new situations and new environment. Examples of previous stays at grand parent’s place.
Take your child to the school before it all starts, this is if you are admitting your child new to the preschool or nursery. uaenurseries has a choice of schools that will give you the right guidance to the right school. Schools are selected based on proximity to your home or workplace, for example, if you are based in Al Nahda 1 you can look online uaenurseries.ae for nurseries in Al Nahda1 or Al Qusais.
Make school topic as part of your conversation at home. Be positive about the environment, learning, playtime at school with your child. Find if your child can connect with other children in school or out just to get a companion who can play and share time with your child. Some nurseries in Jumeirah Village, the Greens or even in Sharjah and Abu Dhabi have nurseries equipped with all facilities for your child to ensure they are focused on fun and learning.
It is advisable to speak to the school principal or class teacher about your child’s anxiety level. Keep in constant touch with the teacher about the progress of your child. Nurseries or preschools on some of the schools have child psychologists or teachers themselves are trained to handle children’s anxiety issues.
As a parent, you need to be firm about your child not missing schools with silly excuses. Communicate to the child that it is his or her duty to go to school every day.
Finally, you as a parent give some independence to your child. Doting parents learn to say no when you have to. Do not easily give in to your child’s tantrums unless you know they are genuine and related to health issues.
Communicate positivity, motivate your child and help her to enjoy school by participating with the child at school when required and at home.
