By Tanya Yadav
in 
Throwing tantrums, coming up with bizarre reasons to skip school, and complaining about health issues are just ways in which your child expresses his or her school phobia. So, what exactly is school phobia? School phobia, also known as school avoidance or refusal, is a child’s
fear of going to school.
There may be many reasons why children want to skip school. One of the most important reasons is the fear of assessment. A child’s performance on every level is evaluated in a school and that may be the reason why he or she dislikes it. Other than this, children may be suffering from separation anxiety or facing difficulties in learning. Problems with fellow students or teachers may be other reasons to refuse to go to school. In some cases, adjusting to a new school or going through a traumatic event may be the reason why children want to stay away from school.
Whatever the reason, it is possible to help your child overcome this problem. After all, school life is crucial in shaping your child’s personality. So, it is best to nip this fear of school in the bud.
Here are a few things you can do.
- Talk to your child about their school phobia. Help them open up about what is bothering him or them. Please get to the root of the actual cause, what they fear.
- Have a conversation with the school authorities. If your child is facing any problems related to peer pressure or teachers, the school may be able to help too.
- Make sure you are understanding towards your child, yet be firm about regular school attendance.
- Encourage independent behavior. At the same time, avoid special treatment for being at home on school days.
- Consult an expert if required. School avoidance that lasts for longer periods should not be neglected.
Early intervention can help your child in the long run. So remember to take note of your child’s
school phobia and support them through this challenging phase of their life.