When a child says, “I don’t want to go to school,” there is often more beneath it than simple unwillingness—there is usually deep anxiety. Some children wake up with severe stomachaches in the morning, some become tearful, and some panic as soon as they step outside the door.
Causes of school refusal may include:
- Separation anxiety
- Difficulties in relationships with teachers or peers
- Bullying
- Academic pressure
- Conflicts at home
- Low self-esteem
- Recent emotional distress or upsetting experiences
The first step is to stop blaming the child. School refusal is not “stubbornness”; it is an alarm signal coming from the child’s body and emotions.
How should you approach it?
- First, try to understand their feelings
- Instead of “Why aren’t you going?” ask, “What feels difficult for you?”
- Work collaboratively with the school
- If necessary, make the return to school gradual
- Seek professional support if anxiety is intense
When a child feels safe, school becomes possible again.
Dr Mehmet Çolak, SpecialistChild and Adolescent Psychiatrist