Anonymous wrote:When our DD was in kindergarten, she also had a time when she really did not want to go to school. And she had always loved daycare and school.
Turns out one of the boys was bullying her at drop off, on the playground and again at after care. After a LOT of phone calls and meetings, the staff finally got a handle on it. Once the bullying stopped, she was happy to go to school again.
Reassure your son that he can tell you anything and that he is not to keep secrets from you, except for surprises like birthday presents.
There are some ways to encourage kids to talk. Direct questions don't always get answered. But if you ask if other kids are sometimes teased or hit, he might start talking about what's going on. Kids are frequently more likely to open up if they aren't looking you directly in the eye. At bedtime by night light, from the back seat of the car... you get the idea. For some reason they feel safer being open when you aren't looking directly at them.
I'd also pay attention to his imaginative play. If he narrates his play with action figures, animals, etc, listen to what he is saying and doing. It can be a way for him to work out what's going on at school (or home).
I'd also make sure he hasn't been touched inappropriately, as not wanting to return to school can be a sign of sexual abuse as well as a sign of bullying.
Oh, for heaven's sake, I knew someone was going to go there.
In all likelihood, sexual abuse or bullying have nothing to do with this newfound resistance.