What Does It Mean When a Child Misses School During the Holidays

School holidays are a wonderful opportunity for families to relax, travel and spend quality time together. Yet many parents are surprised to hear an unexpected sentence before the holidays are even over:

"I miss school."

At first, it can seem unusual. After all, why would a child miss school after looking forward to the holidays?
In many cases, the answer is simple — and reassuring.

When children say they miss school, they are rarely talking only about lessons. More often, they are missing their friends, daily routines, teachers, new discoveries and the feeling of belonging to a place where they feel safe, valued and supported.

According to Jessica Lindhorst, Primary Teacher at The British College of Brazil (BCB), this often reflects a positive and healthy school experience.

"School is about so much more than academic learning. It's where children build friendships, develop confidence, become more independent and feel part of a community. When they say they miss school, they're often expressing just how meaningful those
daily experiences are to them."

 

Is It Normal for Children to Miss School During the Holidays?

Yes.
Every child is different, but education specialists agree that missing school during the holidays is often a natural response when children have built strong, positive connections with their school community.

Rather than simply missing lessons, they are missing meaningful relationships, familiar routines and an environment where they feel happy and engaged.

This is supported by findings from the OECD's Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) 2022, which found that students who feel connected to their school community report higher levels of wellbeing, motivation and engagement with learning.

Five Reasons Why Some Children Miss School During the Holidays

1. They have developed a strong sense of belonging
Every child wants to feel that they are part of something. When children feel welcomed, respected and encouraged to participate, they develop a sense of security and belonging that extends beyond the classroom—even during the holidays.

2. Friendships are an important part of school life
For many children, school is where they spend most of their time with friends. Daily interactions, collaborative projects and shared experiences help create meaningful relationships that they naturally miss during school breaks.

3. Routine provides comfort and security
A predictable daily routine helps children organise their thoughts, emotions and expectations. During the holidays, that familiar structure temporarily disappears, making it perfectly natural for some children to miss it.

4. Learning can be genuinely enjoyable
When learning encourages curiosity, creativity and active participation, school becomes much more than a place to study. Discovering new ideas, solving problems and exploring different interests makes learning exciting and rewarding.

5. The learning environment also matters
Relationships are important, but the physical environment also plays a significant role in children's wellbeing. Research in environmental psychology has shown that classrooms with natural light, good ventilation, comfortable temperatures and thoughtfully designed learning spaces can positively influence wellbeing, concentration and engagement.
One of the best-known studies on this topic, conducted by researchers at the University of Salford in the UK, analysed more than 3,700 primary school pupils and found that classroom design can have a measurable impact on children's academic progress.

 

What Does This Mean for Parents?

Hearing your child say they miss school during the holidays is usually something to celebrate rather than worry about. In most cases, it suggests they have found a place where they feel safe, supported and confident to learn, build friendships and grow. It certainly doesn't mean they aren't enjoying their holiday.
Instead, it shows that school has become an important and positive part of their life.

As Jessica Lindhorst explains:
"When children feel that they truly belong within their school community, they develop a positive relationship with learning and with the people around them. Creating that sense of belonging is one of the most important goals of education."

What if your child doesn't miss school?

It's equally important to remember that every child is different. Some children can't wait to go back to school after the holidays, while others simply become immersed in family time, travel or new experiences. Not saying "I miss school" doesn't automatically mean something is wrong or that they aren't happy at school.
What's more important is the overall picture.

Do they generally enjoy going to school? Have positive relationships with teachers and classmates? Feel safe, supported and able to be themselves? Are they engaged with learning? These are often much stronger indicators of wellbeing than whether they say they miss school during the holidays.

"Children express their feelings in different ways. Rather than focusing on a single comment, parents should look at how their child talks about school throughout the year and whether they feel happy, confident and connected within their school community", shares Jessica.


Helping every child feel they belong

At The British College of Brazil, we believe every child deserves to feel known, valued and supported.

Creating that sense of belonging is at the heart of everything we do—from personalised learning and meaningful relationships with teachers to inspiring learning environments and a truly international community.

Because when children feel they belong, they're more likely to grow in confidence, embrace new challenges and develop a lifelong love of learning.

Every child deserves a place where they feel they belong. If you're exploring schools for your family, we'd love to show you what that looks like at BCB. Book a personalised visit and experience our community firsthand.