It is not unheard of for students to skip class on occasion. Perhaps they pretend to be sick or go to school but wind up skipping class. If this situation persists, your student may receive poor grades or fail semesters. Below are some key pointers for coping effectively with a child skipping school.
Get Information from Relevant Sources
The first person you should contact is, of course, your student. Even if they appear hesitant to tell you, it's critical to be calm and patient. Remember that kids may be too embarrassed or afraid to inform you if they are feeling overwhelmed or being bullied.
Speak with their teachers, who have a unique perspective on what occurs during the school day. Your child's teacher can help you figure out what's causing your child's absenteeism and who might be influencing him or her. Educators, too, have wonderful ideas or proposals for resolving the problem. You should also consult with friends and family members to ensure that you have a complete understanding of the situation. If the absence is long-term, there's a good chance it's due to a combination of factors.
Pinpoint Possible Causes of Skipping School
There are a variety of reasons why your child may be absent from school. Perhaps they are overloaded in class and are unable to cope, or perhaps they have been bullied and are scared to attend school. Physiological symptoms such as stomach discomfort, headaches, and nausea might occur as a result of anxiety caused by these types of situations. Other factors include a strained relationship with the teacher or being under the influence of drugs or alcohol. If you want to put a plan in place to help your child overcome their issues, you must first understand the underlying causes of their absenteeism.
Formulate an Action Plan
You must include your student in the discussion when establishing a plan of action to address the obstacles they are facing. They are significantly more likely to be part of the solution if they are involved in the planning.
Together, you should lay out a detailed plan of action so that they feel supported, that a framework is in place and that they understand what is expected of them. Directly address the underlying concerns and solicit their feedback on how to best tackle the situation. If they are being bullied, for example, they may not want you to intervene. You should talk about coping methods and how to cope with bullies in this situation.
Reach Out for Help
Sometimes, your child’s predicament can necessitate drastic measures. In such a scenario, don't be hesitant to enlist the help of family members. You can also count on your instructor and principal for additional support and assistance in developing a realistic plan for overcoming obstacles. If your student is feeling overwhelmed, consider hiring a tutor to assist them with their schoolwork.
Here at Firefly Tutors, we believe that every student deserves the chance to reach their full potential. We take the time to get to know our students’ learning styles so that we can pair them with a tutor who has the expertise and skills they need. Call us at 888-505-5930 to get an online consult ASAP!
