Fears of a young pupil
Starting school is a big deal for a child, and sometimes they may be afraid of going to school.
They may be afraid of forgetting to leave for school in the morning, or they may be scared of travelling to school alone. The child may be worried that something will happen to their parents while they are away. They may miss their parents or feel jealous of siblings who are staying at home. A young pupil may also feel a mixture of fear and respect towards their teacher and new classmates.
Fears and school-related anxiety should be discussed calmly with the child, without pressuring them for answers. The child’s fear is often something that they do not even understand themselves.
Parents should listen to their child; that in itself can help. The child should not be made to feel embarrassed or belittled because of their fears.
Getting used to a new teacher, their habits, and the rules of the class and school can take time and may be hard at first.
In the classroom, the child cannot receive the same level of individual attention as they would one-on-one with a parent. They might feel upset, for example, if the teacher’s way of managing the class seems too harsh and the child is not used to it.
When fears or anxieties arise, the child needs time and support from their parent. Sometimes even a small gesture, such as travelling with the child to school a few times, can resolve the issue.
Fears and school-related anxiety usually disappear once the child gets used to the new routine.
Parents’ evenings and other forms of cooperation between school and home are activities that support the child.
Raising concerns is often a sensitive matter, but open discussion with other parents and the teacher can be beneficial in many ways. You may find that other families are facing similar issues. You can also gain useful ideas from others to apply in your own everyday life.