School refusal takes many forms such as crying, shyness, tantrums, petulance, persistent clinging, and, in many cases, illnesses such as sore throats, stomachaches, headaches, and the like. These illnesses often occur shortly before it is time to leave for school, tend to subside when the child stays home, and often reappear the next morning. Occasionally, school refusal occurs after a long break from school such as the summer holidays. In such cases, children anticipate problems on their return to school. For example, they may be responding to underlying worry about their abilities to do well enough in class or about relationships with peers.
Parents can usually help the child talk through such fears.
Persistent cases of such school refusal usually require professional assistance to prevent them from becoming a serious pattern of behavior. For More Information American Psychological Association. The before school checklist and a guide for parents. Constructing meanings of readiness for kindergarten. How to prepare your child for kindergarten.