August 30, 2021

August 30, 2021

5 Signs Your Child Is Struggling In School (& How To Help)

Struggling at school can be a difficult burden for a child. They’re trying their best, and yet they can’t seem to get a grasp on things. Often, it can take a while for you to notice if your child is struggling with their schoolwork – but the longer it takes to get help, the harder it may become to remedy the situation, because your child might fall behind while their class continues on with their lessons.

It can be even more difficult to spot a struggling student if they don’t like to tell people that they’re failing, and it’s unlikely that they’ll come to you directly for support if they feel ashamed of their abilities in the classroom. If you find yourself wondering “Why is my child doing so poorly in school?”, it’s likely you already know that they are. However, if you’re not aware of their struggles, there will be some telltale signs that could allow you to get them help sooner rather than later.

What are the signs of a struggling student?
There are many indications that will tell you if your child is having learning difficulties. It’s important to pay attention to the signs because, as mentioned above, the quicker you get help, the better. If you notice any of the following signs your child is struggling in school, you can find the right course of action to help get them back to success in no time at all.

  1. No school talk. If your child is usually forthcoming about their experience at school and that has completely stopped, it may be a sign that they don’t feel comfortable telling you about their failings. When your child stops wanting to talk about what they learned in class or how their school day went, they may feel as though they have nothing positive to say about it because they’re having a difficult time.
  2. Attitude changes towards school. Many children see school not just as a learning environment, but also a place where they get to see and spend time with their friends. Contrary to what many people believe, children often love going to school, even if just for the socialization. If you notice that your usually open, happy, and talkative child is suddenly distant or angry about going to school or being asked about school, something is going on beneath the surface that they aren’t telling you about. If their attitude is also shifting to boredom, it could because they actually just don’t understand their subjects. 
  3. Problems with sleeping and eating. Having trouble eating or sleeping is a sign that your child may be stressed or worried. Children know when they aren’t keeping up with the class in school, and that could lead them to feel embarrassed and worry about what’s going to happen to them if they can’t get better grades. Children often want to make their parents proud, and knowing that they’re not doing well in school can make them anxious that they will be in trouble or disappoint their family.
  4. Homework is eating up a lot of their time. If your child is taking longer than usual to do their homework, it’s a clear indicator that they are having trouble understanding the material. It can be hard to determine how long a child should be spending on homework, but typically, it shouldn’t take up all of their free time outside of school.  
  5. Behaving badly while at school. Sometimes, when your child misbehaves, it can be a cry for help or attention. They don’t know how to cope with the fact that they’re struggling, so they act out in the hopes that it will somehow help the situation. They could also misbehave to deter people from paying attention that they’re having difficulties with their schoolwork.

What do you do when your child is struggling at school?
Noticing the signs that your child is struggling and helping them to solve the issue are two different things. If you’re asking yourself, “My child is struggling in school, what do I do?” keeping reading for tips on how to help them take control of their learning again.

Have an open conversation
Oftentimes, parents assume that their child just doesn’t want to participate in school, but that is rarely the case. Children are curious by nature and learning is something that all children like to do, even if they don’t love all of their subjects. By opening the lines of communication with your child, you can help get to the root of what’s causing them to struggle. Withhold judgment and give them the opportunity to speak to you in an open and safe manner. This will give them the opportunity to tell you they’re struggling without shame or fear of being punished.

Provide them with a comfortable homework station
It’s rarely possible that parents can give a child their own office to get their work done; however, helping them put together a dedicated homework station can help them focus all of their attention on their work without distractions. Their station should be a sanctuary for learning.

Ask specific questions
Instead of asking vague questions about their school day, inquire about specifics. For example, asking “How was your day?” leaves them open to respond with a vague answer, but more specific questions require more in-depth answers that give you insight into their experience. For example, if they’re struggling with multiplication, you can ask them how their math class went as well as what they did at recess. If you show you’re interested in specific aspects of their day, both social and academic, they will feel more comfortable talking about the good and the bad parts.

Adjust the routine
Your child may have a homework routine in place, but if they’re struggling at school, that routine may not be working. Ask your child when they would prefer to do their homework so that they can provide input that you can both put to good use. By creating a fresh routine together, your child will feel as though you value their opinion, and the new routine will likely benefit their preferences and strengths better than the old one.

Struggling with schoolwork can be a difficult and embarrassing experience for a child, and often, that means they won’t be too open to telling you about it. That is why you need to pay attention to the signs so you can be prepared to help them before they get too far behind the rest of the class.

 

Featured image by Carl Jorgensen on Unsplash