Some kids love school, and some kids hate it. Sometimes children start off not wanting to go to school “a phase” and then love it, and sometimes it’s the other way around; they love it in the beginning, and then they really just don’t want to go to school. So what should you do if your child doesn’t enjoy school?

Disclaimer: This is a guest post that I have added my thoughts and opinions. I have been compensated for my time.

What Should You Do if Your Child Doesn’t Enjoy School, how can you help them?

School can be a wonderful experience for many children. A chance for them to thrive, both academically and on a personal level, as well as making potential lifelong friendships. However, some children aren’t too fond of school, which can be a big cause for concern for parents, especially if they don’t know why. There’s nothing worse than dropping your child off at school when they are crying, upset, clinging to you or worse … angry at you for making them go to school. Here’s some advice from an independent school in London.

Is Your Child Being Bullied?

Unfortunately, there are some kids for whom going to school is not a pleasant experience. School can be an incredibly hostile environment for those who are bullied. It also can be a frustrating place for those who struggle academically.

We have to make sure that we provide all kids with a good education experience. When students get the education they need and deserve, they will feel more confident and motivated in their lives.

what should you do if your child doesn't enjoy school?

Talk to Your Child

First of all, you should try to get to the bottom of why your child isn’t enjoying school. Perhaps they’re struggling in a certain lesson, dislike a particular teacher, or fear a bully in their class. Try not to be judgemental if they open up to you about something that seems silly to you. Once you can get to the bottom of what’s bothering them, then you can decide what you want to do about it.

Meet with the Teachers

No teacher would like to hear that one of their students isn’t enjoying their time at school and will more than likely want to help you get to the bottom of it. Since they see your child in situ every day, they might have some more insight into what’s going on with them. For example, they might not be able to see the whiteboard very clearly and need their eyesight checking. Alternatively, they might be struggling to make friends and can therefore recommend some extra-curricular clubs that will help them make friends with like-minded people. 

Reconnect Your Child with Learning

If children are not happy at school, it affects their performance. This can also affect their quality of life in the future. Try and find fun activities to do with your child at home that helps them learn without even realising it. Use positive terminology when talking about their education and offer your support where you can. Essentially, the trick is to try and motivate them to learn so that they don’t feel as bored or frustrated in class. 

maths STEM Subjects
STEM Subjects for kids to learn and have fun with.

Is Your Child Being Challenged Enough?

Some kids don’t enjoy school because they feel like they are not being challenged enough. They might be bored or frustrated because they don’t understand the material and think that a lot of it is pointless. Other kids might get discouraged because they are not achieving as well as their classmates.

I hope this advice has been useful to you. The most important thing in trying to figure out what you should do if your child doesn’t enjoy school is to listen to your child. Try to understand what they are saying so that you can then formulate a plan to help them. What’s that saying, “A problem shared is a problem halved”. Ensuring the lines of communication are open between you and your child is crucial.