5 Ways to Help Your Child Cope with Rejection at School

When a child leaves the comfort of their mother’s embrace and starts school, they enter a new community—a bigger world than the one they’ve known. Unlike nursery, school exposes children to new peers and requires them to make choices about friendships.

Many parents face a common challenge: their child comes home crying because classmates refuse to play with them during recess. We spoke with educational counselor Dr. Zekra Abdel Fattah, who shared five practical solutions to help children cope with rejection at school—without relying on gifts or bribing peers.

1. Avoid Quick Fixes or Traditional Solutions

Parents often turn to temporary solutions that may seem effective but can harm a child’s self-esteem long-term.

• Avoid giving gifts to other children to make them play with your child.

• Do not pressure other parents to encourage their kids to befriend your child.

• Avoid asking repeatedly whether your child played with anyone; this can make the child feel there is something “wrong” with them.

Relying on these methods can undermine your child’s confidence and teach them that they must constantly please others to be accepted.

2. Reinforce Your Child’s Self-Worth

Teach your child to value themselves, even if others reject them.

• Make your child aware of their qualities and strengths.

• Emphasize that rejection is not a reflection of personal failure; people simply have different temperaments.

• Encourage them to maintain dignity and not to beg for acceptance—social respect starts with self-respect.

3. Explain the Difference Between a Classmate and a Friend

Help your child understand that not everyone they meet has to be a friend.

• Classmates are people they share activities with, such as learning or games, but not necessarily close friends.

• Friends are people with whom they feel comfortable, share interests, respect feelings, and genuinely care about each other.

This distinction helps your child navigate social interactions without feeling isolated.

4. Identify Behaviors That May Push Peers Away

Sometimes, a child’s behavior can make others reluctant to include them:

• Aggression, bullying, or using inappropriate language.

• Poor hygiene, body odor, bad breath, or dirty clothing.

• Annoying habits like loud eating or disruptive noises.

Observe your child’s interactions and address any issues to improve social acceptance while maintaining a supportive and non-judgmental approach.

5. Teach Your Child to Enjoy Their Own Company

Happiness should come from within, not depend solely on peers.

• Encourage activities they enjoy independently.

• Help them develop skills, creativity, and hobbies.

• Reinforce that maintaining self-respect is more important than trying to gain popularity.

• Teach them that losing a friend is not the end of the world; new friendships will develop naturally over time.

By fostering self-confidence, independence, and emotional resilience, children can navigate social challenges with strength and dignity.