If your child could just tell you that she is not happy at school, that would be ideal, but you can’t rely on that.
In particular, if your kid is afraid of the classroom or her instructor, she might not feel safe talking to you about her feelings.
Here are some methods to determine if your child is content at school if she isn’t giving you specifics about what is going on all day. (Don’t be alarmed if your youngster appears anxious during the first few weeks of school. Always difficult at first, going back to school.)
How to learn your child’s attitude toward school
1.Talk to your child frequently about school
Set up a regular time to discuss school events: before dinner, during bath time, whenever. Ask questions about topics your child has mentioned before to show you’re truly interested in what’s going on in his life.
Your child might not want to share bad news about the school, especially information about punishment. By listening calmly and not launching into a lecture, you’ll encourage your child to be honest about bad news in the future. When you do respond, address the behaviour and not the child, and talk about ways you can work together to solve the problem.
2. Ask detailed questions
Ask him/her which subjects are his favourites and which are the hardest. Find out what he likes best about the teacher. Other good questions include, “What’s your favourite part of the day?” and “Which friends do you hang out with during lunch and recess?”
3.Volunteer in the classroom
Spending just an hour in the classroom once a month can give you a read on your child’s feelings about school. You’ll also get a chance to see how the teacher runs the class, and she’ll be happy to let you know the best ways to help.
4. Keep in touch with the teacher
The teacher spends five days a week with your child. If your child suddenly seems unhappy at school or has problems with a group of friends, the teacher might know more about the situation than you do.
Warning signs that your child is unhappy
Stomach aches or diarrhoea before school. An occasional episode isn’t unusual, but if you notice a recurring problem, your child might be worried about something at school.
Nervousness. Your child develops unusual behaviours such as nail-biting, thumb-sucking, hair-pulling, or bed-wetting.
Silence. Your child stops talking about school or gets nervous when you bring up the teacher, homework, or anything else related to school.
Boredom. Your child seems uninterested in schoolwork and homework or no longer brings work home from class. If her grades are good and you don’t suspect a learning problem, this could be a sign that your child is finishing everything at school and needs more advanced work. Get tips for helping a child who’s bored in school.
Fear of returning to school in the fall. Kids love summer vacation, but most are ready to return to school in August or September. If your child isn’t, find out why. Get tips for working with a child who isn’t enjoying school.
