An unexpected reason why children don't want to go to school has been identified

The problem of school anxiety is gaining momentum worldwide - a condition in which a child regularly refuses to go to school. A new nationwide US Ipsos survey commissioned by The Kids Mental Health Foundation, founded by Nationwide Children's Hospital, showed: nearly a third of parents (30%) whose children missed classes due to fear or anxiety last year reported that their child was absent for more than a week. This is reported by Nationwide Children.

Among students who missed school, 42% said they felt physically unwell, and 20% said they were too tired to go to class. Experts emphasize: such symptoms are often not related to illnesses, but to emotional difficulties.

According to the US National Institute of Health, up to 28% of children face school refusal. This most often occurs at the age of 10-13 and during periods of changing schools. The causes can be bullying, fear of public speaking, learning difficulties, or unidentified learning disorders that make the learning process stressful.

Psychologists advise parents to talk carefully with their children and not support avoidance behavior.

"The more we avoid what causes anxiety, the stronger it becomes. Sometimes a parent thinks they are giving the child a 'day off,' but in reality, this only exacerbates the problem," explained child psychologist Ariana Hoet.

In case the situation worsens and the child refuses to leave home for several days in a row, specialists advise consulting a psychologist. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is considered an effective method in such cases, helping to reduce anxiety and gradually return to studies.