Dr Emily says: 'It's normal for children to refuse to go to school at the start of term – and when going into a new school for the first time. For young children, Dr Emily says there may be a lot of tears difficulties at separation time. 5 FAQs about school refusal in younger children and how to handle it1. What are the signs my child’s school refusal might be more serious? If your child’s school refusal continues for over three months and it’s starting to impact family life, it's time to speak to the school or your GP.