Creating Enthusiasm for School
My little boy fights with me every morning about going to school. How do I get him excited about school? Please help me.
There may be several reasons why a child doesn’t want to go to school. Let’s face it, all of us have days where we would rather stay in bed.
Some of us are not morning people. It’s not that we don’t like school (or work), we just don’t like mornings. Anti-morning people need a structure in their routines. Use the evening hours to make preparations for the next day. Lay out clothes, bathe, pack book bags, and most importantly, discuss the upcoming day. Keep a calendar of the daily events. Refer to the calendar as you prepare. For example, as you are choosing clothes, say, “Tomorrow is gym day, so lets pick out a good running and jumping outfit for you to wear.” In the mornings, keep conversations calm. Quietly remind your child of the events you discussed the night before.
If your child’s concern about going to school is a deeper one, you need to investigate the reason. School should be fun for children. Learning is hard work, but children love it because it is exciting to work hard and learn.
Start with your child. Have a conversation and try to uncover what is upsetting him. Younger children may need more time to express their concerns. Begin by asking him what things he likes about school. That will help you eliminate problems. Finally, discuss what he does not like. Encourage him to explain his feelings.
More difficult problems, such as a relationship between a teacher and child, will take more investigation. Arrange to visit your child’s school. Sit quietly in the classroom and watch as the children interact with the teacher. If you feel uncomfortable with the tone in the room, arrange to speak to the principal. Explain your concerns in a calm, clear manner. It may not be possible to move your child to another classroom, but the principal can make other suggestions to improve the situation.
Use this meeting to pledge to work together to make school a pleasant experience for your child. When a child knows that the adults in his life are interested in his welfare, they respond in kind with a renewed enthusiasm for school.