For sure, I've had some luck using play to understand what's happening. Kids often express things through play that they might not articulate directly. I'd set up a little role-play scenario with toys representing school, and it was surprising how much came out in a fun, non-threatening way.
When I noticed my child's reluctance, we spent some downtime drawing or building with blocks. I gently introduced scenarios that might mimic school situations. This approach sometimes led to discoveries about worries or interactions with peers that were bothering them.
Another thing that helped was setting up small, achievable goals related to school, like making it through one full day without expressing distress. We celebrated these small victories to reinforce positive experiences.
And of course, keeping open lines of communication with teachers is key. They can be your eyes and ears when you're not there. In some cases, they might notice patterns or triggers in the classroom that aren’t immediately obvious.
Have you tried any specific strategies with your child? Sometimes a shared experience or idea sparks a new approach to try.
