"I don't want to go to school!" How can we help our children with back-to-school syndrome?

The end of summer vacation and the start of a new semester is an exciting new beginning for children, but it also presents various challenges.

Sometimes, a bright child becomes irritable over trivial things, or refuses to go to school, complaining of headaches or stomach aches. We often call this "back-to-school syndrome."

Although back-to-school syndrome is not an official medical diagnosis, it is commonly used by many educational and health organizations and the media to refer to the temporary difficulties children often experience as they return to school after a long break.

New semester syndrome: why does it appear?

Research shows that approximately 67% of elementary school children experience post-school blues after vacation (similar to the post-vacation blues experienced by office workers after a long vacation). This back-to-school blues is primarily caused by three factors:

- Broken daily rhythm: Since they are used to sleeping late and waking up late during vacation, they have a hard time going to school in the morning after school starts .

- Anxiety about new environments: The tension and anxiety about unfamiliar environments, such as changes in the homeroom teacher, friends, and classroom atmosphere, increase.

- Psychological pressure: A variety of worries can weigh on your child, including schoolwork, homework, and making new friends.

Most of these changes are temporary, but if left untreated, they can lead to tics, long-term school refusal, or learning difficulties.

 

Help me overcome the new semester syndrome.

What can parents do for their children experiencing back-to-school syndrome?

1) Get your child back on track: Haven't they gotten their sleep patterns back yet? Try moving your child's bedtime and wake-up time forward by 15-30 minutes each day. Gradually aligning their daily routine with the school schedule will help them adapt to school more quickly.

Reset your child's sleep routine starting 1–2 weeks before the start of school.

2) Emotional empathy and honest conversation: When your child says, "I don't want to go to school," instead of simply dismissing it with, "It's okay, that's just how it is," talk about the difficulties or anxieties they're experiencing. For example, acknowledge their feelings by saying, "I'm having trouble getting up in the morning," or "I'm worried about getting along with my new friends." Simply showing genuine empathy can significantly reduce a child's anxiety.

3) Talk about positive experiences when you go to school together: Take the time to walk with your child past the school on the weekend or walk to school together and talk about positive experiences you had at school (e.g., "I really enjoyed drawing in art class," "The gym teacher was so funny"). This is an important time to build positive memories of school by accumulating these positive experiences.

4) Consult a professional: Sometimes, children may experience discomfort for more than two weeks, or their physical symptoms, such as headaches or stomachaches, may worsen. In these cases, it's crucial to seek professional help. A professional counselor or a child and adolescent mental health clinic can provide the right support for your child's situation.

 

New school syndrome isn't unique to our children. It's a universal adjustment process most children experience, and with the warm attention and deep empathy of their parents, most children regain stability within one to two weeks.

The most important thing is to not ignore the small signals your child sends and to listen to their honest feelings. How about starting today to make small changes together so your child can begin the new semester with a little more lightness and joy?

 

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