Question
One month after transferring schools, a child initially refused to go to school and gradually became resistant until they stopped going completely. Now, they stay at home, agreeing to stay home no matter what, and become silent or cry when mentioned about school. What could be the reason for this?
Answer
A child’s refusal to go to school may have underlying causes that they may not have mentioned to their parents, or that the parents may not have paid attention to. The reasons could include fear of school, poor relationships with teachers and peers, dislike of teachers, or falling behind in grades and finding it hard to catch up. When children bring up these issues, parents should guide them or help find solutions, leading them to make changes so they can focus on schoolwork. Parents should think from the child’s perspective, avoid criticism, lower their interest in learning, and make the child understand the importance of education. This is an intrinsic motivation that is an important support condition for students’ successful learning activities.