why is my 3 years old daughter afraid to learn

Since your daughter is 3 1/2 check with your local school district to see if you can have her tested.  Some states have Parents as Teachers programs.  You can also sign up for that.  There are a variety of reasons how come she could be acting this way.  I am a mom of five and been through many things now.  My oldest is 21.  I also have 2 children that have severe autism and 1 child that has Aspergers.  The best thing you can do for your daughter is to at least begin to investigate what is going on with her.  It is awesome that you are already listening to you mother's intuition that something here does not seem quite right.  It could be as simple as maybe she needs glasses.  Best thing to do is have it checked out via testing through your local school district and also consulting with her doctor.  If either of these two sources do not provide you with what your intuition tells you seems to be right....please listen to that and then seek further testing or a second opinion.  The reason I say this is I knew by 20 months old that my two youngest (a set of twin boys now 12) had something going on.  I just blamed on the terrible 2's hitting early.  I even had them tested at 3 1/2 like I am recommending you do.  One son was said to have an issue with his speech and language the other son they told me appeared to have social emotional issues.  Oh if I could go back and have started the process of elimination earlier.  I also would have sought more opinions before just accepting the first one.  it's been a long journey but I have learned so much in the process.  I have learned things that I would not trade if I had the chance to.  All the best!

Mom of five