What to Do if Your Child Doesn’t Enjoy School

School is a challenge. There’s no denying that. From the very early days right through to the end, it constantly pushes children to learn and develop – sometimes at a speed they may find overwhelming. It’s not just academics which can overwhelm children though. Social interactions and even the very routine of getting up early 5 days a week and getting there can be a lot to manage for some children.

If your child doesn’t enjoy school you will likely be very upset and worried about them. It’s hard to keep sending your beloved child off to a place they don’t want to go to. Whatever your child’s age, this can become a real problem. It can also be made more complex to manage if you yourself didn’t enjoy school. It’s easy to foist your own experiences on your child through your own fears or insecurities.

If school is becoming a problem, look first to yourself and your own home for answers. Is your child generally happy at home? Or are they having general problems which may impact their learning? Is it possible they have a learning disability? Many of these go undiagnosed or are not managed properly.

Is the problem academic, social or anxiety based? Maybe it’s a mix of all three? The only way to get to the bottom of the issue is to discuss it with your child. Don’t fire questions at them though. Ask open ended questions such as “What was the best part of today?” and “What was the worst part of today?” The answers can give insight into the issues. If your child’s worst part is consistently playtimes, then you can bet they are having social issues. If it’s lesson times or particular lessons, then there may be a need for extra tuition.

It’s really important to nip issues with school in the bud and to do it quickly. If your child consistently doesn’t want to attend school, make an appointment with their teacher. You can discuss the issue and gain insight into what the problem might be. You will find that teachers often have excellent knowledge of ways in which you might be able to help your child.

This private school in Dublin works with students to help them develop greater understanding and awareness – this is vital for all children when it comes to overcoming hurdles in their school journey.