School Refusal and Truancy Surge in May: Explaining Essential Parental Involvement for Hardworking Children (Online on May 13)

Pastel Communication Inc. (Headquarters: Toshima-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Kayoko Yoshino), which operates "Nicotto! Juku," an online parenting school where mothers raising children with developmental disabilities or gray zones can learn and consult anytime, will hold an online live event on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at 12:00 PM, on the theme of "Resolve School Refusal in the Shortest Time! OK/NG Response Guide." Details: https://desc-lab.com/nicotto202201/?prt0513 Hello. Nicotto! Juku, an online parenting school that believes children can get closer to their dreams the more "common sense" mothers discard, announces the upcoming Nicotto! Live event. In October 2025, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology announced that the number of truant students reached a record high. The number of truant students exceeded 350,000 and continues to increase year by year. Meanwhile, although not easily reflected in statistics, many families struggle with "school refusal" at various stages, such as "not wanting to go to school in the morning," "repeated tardiness or early departures," "parent-accompanied school attendance," or "attending school in a separate room." Especially in May, after Golden Week, the tension and fatigue from the new school year tend to surface, making it a period when school refusal increases. Against this background, "Nicotto! Juku" will hold an online live event on the theme of "Resolve School Refusal in the Shortest Time! OK/NG Response Guide." The speaker for this event is Miho Yokoyama, a Developmental Science Communication Trainer. Ms. Yokoyama specializes in supporting children with strong anxiety and school refusal, providing communication support at home that incorporates a "neuroscience x encouragement" perspective. She has also been involved in many parent-child consultations, viewing school refusal as "the child's last SOS when they can no longer cope," and shares practical ways parents can get involved at home. During the live event, she will explain topics such as: - How to recognize the SOS signals a child is sending - NG responses that tend to worsen school refusal - "Encouraging words" to restore a child's vitality The content also emphasizes creating an environment where children can feel safe at school and at home, rather than solely focusing on "whether they can go to school," and teaches "basic responses" to prevent prolonged school refusal. School refusal is not something that can be resolved immediately solely by parental involvement. However, by correctly understanding the child's condition and knowing how to interact without cornering them, it can become an opportunity for both parents and children to regain peace of mind. We hope this event will help understand the background behind a child's words "I don't want to go to school" and provide an opportunity to consider support that can be offered at home. [What you will gain from this live event] - How to recognize the SOS signals your child might already be sending - NG responses that tend to worsen school refusal - "Encouraging words" to restore your child's vitality - Ways to interact to help your child thrive at school and at home [Recommended for those who] - Whose child says "I don't want to go to school" in the morning - Are worried about prolonged school refusal - Lack confidence in how to talk to their child - Are unsure whether to let their child rest from school or make them go - Want to know how to respond to the anxiety and sensitivity of children in the developmental gray zone [Lecturer Introduction] Miho Yokoyama Developmental Science Communication Trainer Active as an expert who empowers children with strong anxiety and school refusal to challenge their dreams. Through "neuroscience x encouragement" communication, she supports families in transforming school refusal into an "opportunity for parents and children to re-evaluate their interactions." ■ Event Overview Title: "Resolve School Refusal in the Shortest Time! OK/NG Response Guide" Date: Wednesday, May 13, 2026, 12:00 PM~ Delivery Method: Online live via Zoom webinar (exclusive to Nicotto! Juku members) How to Participate: After free member registration via the URL below, log in to participate. https://desc-lab.com/nicotto202201/?prt0513 ~First Month Free Campaign in Progress~ Membership registration is required to watch the live event, but the first month's usage fee is free. This is an easy opportunity to try it out, not only for those interested in this theme but also for first-time users of Nicotto! Live. "Nicotto! Live" is an online live platform where parents facing parenting difficulties can learn, think, and consult with peace of mind, without bearing the burden of daily parenting alone. It aims to re-evaluate parenting "common sense" and "what should be," and through new parenting perspectives and immediately applicable interaction methods, gradually improve parent-child relationships.