Break the Cycle of Emotionally Based School Avoidance (School Refusal)

By the time a child's absences reach your desk, their family may have been fighting to get them out of bed for weeks. Letters about attendance can make it worse, and every morning that goes badly teaches the child that school really is as frightening as they thought.

Emotionally based school avoidance (EBSA, sometimes called school refusal) is a cycle, and you can break it. Spot the early signs, like a change in punctuality or a well-behaved child suddenly in trouble. Plan a soft landing at the door, a signal the child can use when they're overwhelmed, and a Monday morning plan that starts at home on Sunday night. "Share it, shelf it, shout it" helps a child get from arriving to ready to learn.

The ideas come from a child and adolescent mental health specialist who has helped schools and local authorities shape their approach to EBSA.