ASK Dr Devi Raj
School Anxiety & Academic Stress:
10 Questions for Parents
School Anxiety & Academic Stress: 10 Questions for Parents
“Ask Dr. Devi Raj” is a practical psychology knowledge library for parents, adolescents, adults and families looking for clear answers to common emotional, behavioural, developmental and parenting concerns.
The answers are educational and should not be used as a substitute for individual psychological assessment, diagnosis, medical advice or emergency support.
1. Why does my child hate school?
Possible reasons include learning difficulty, bullying, anxiety, teacher conflict, social problems or repeated feelings of failure.
2. Why does my child cry before school?
School-related anxiety, separation fears or stressful experiences may be contributing.
3. What is school refusal?
School refusal refers to persistent difficulty attending or remaining at school because of significant emotional distress.
4. Should I force my child to school?
Avoidance can strengthen fear, but force without understanding the cause can also worsen distress. A structured return plan is often more helpful.
5. Why does my child get stomach pain before exams?
Anxiety can produce genuine physical symptoms, including stomach discomfort and headaches.
6. How can parents reduce exam stress?
Focus on preparation, sleep, realistic expectations, breaks and effort rather than threatening consequences.
7. Is tuition always helpful?
Not necessarily. Extra tuition can increase pressure when the underlying problem is learning difficulty, anxiety or exhaustion.
8. Why does my child perform poorly despite knowing the answers?
Test anxiety, attention difficulties, time-management problems or fear of mistakes may interfere with performance.
9. Should parents compare marks with classmates?
Frequent comparison can damage confidence and increase performance pressure.
10. How can parents respond to low marks?
Explore what happened, identify the specific difficulty and plan support rather than reacting with humiliation or fear.
"Ask Dr Devi Raj" - Knowledge Hub is a practical psychology knowledge library for parents, adolescents, adults and families looking for clear answers to common emotional, behavioural, developmental and parenting concerns.
Dr. Devi Raj is a Developmental Psychologist, Certified Life Coach and Child Behaviour Specialist with over 15 years of experience supporting children, adolescents, and families. At Pranaah Psychological Counselling Centre, she provides evidence-based psychological assessments, parenting guidance, developmental interventions, and emotional wellbeing services for families across Kollam, Karunagappally, Kerala, and through online consultations worldwide.
Disclaimer
This content is intended for general educational information and does not replace individual psychological assessment, diagnosis, medical advice or emergency care.
