Do any of these issues sound familiar to you? A lack of desire to attend school, anti-social conduct, poor grades, or struggling with low grades? Do you get these issues on a daily basis? How can you determine whether or not your child is having difficulty in school?
Assuming this is the case, it’s clear that your child is struggling in school. How can you be supportive when your child won’t talk to you about their problems? The majority of parents nowadays are dealing with this difficult situation.
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Sadly, problems are prevalent not just among adolescents but even among elementary and preschool-aged children.
In this article, we’ll guide parents struggling to assist their kids but unsure how to approach the situation. You will have gained some insight into how to assist your child struggling in school by the time you conclude this article.
Signs your child is struggling in school
The worry and tension accompanying a child’s academic struggles often find their way home with them. Physical symptoms and behavioral changes are possible.
Yes, every child is unique, but there are telltale signs that a child may benefit from assistance.
Avoids Talking About School
A red flag that your child may have difficulty at school is a sudden reluctance to share details about their day. This is particularly true if your youngster tends to be very talkative and animated.
Your first step should be to talk with your child about this. However, if your child still won’t talk, being more involved in their extracurricular activities might help you get to the bottom of things.
Physical Signs
Is there a problem with your child’s sleep or feeding? Does it happen that kids get a sharp pain in their head or stomach right before school? Then, issues with eating and sleeping are associated with stress.
Your child may need to eat or sleep adequately under stress. Furthermore, unexpected discomfort is just an excuse not to attend school.
Devotes More Time than Necessary to Homework
An indicator of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is if your child consistently takes longer than normal to do homework. Furthermore, it is worrisome if your child completes homework at a slower rate than their classmates.
One possible explanation is a neurological disorder that limits your child’s ability to learn. You should get some expert help if this continues for a long time. Give necessary tips and ideas at home to help your child love doing homework.
Attitude Shift
Your child may no longer enjoy attending school, even though they used to be quite excited about it. This should serve as a red flag. It could indicate that your child struggles academically, emotionally, or with other school-related difficulties. You should try to talk to your child about what’s upsetting them.
Hands out Poor Marks
A common sign that your child is struggling is a decline in grades. However, there are instances when parents assume that their child’s poor performance is due to laziness and that the problem will eventually disappear.
The presence of a single failing score is only sometimes alarming. But a string of poor marks, or even worse, a whole report card filled with failing grades, indicates major concern.
How to help your child with school struggles
1. Have a conversation with your youngster.
Get your message that you care about your child and are willing to put yourself in their shoes and aid them through tough times. Assure them that they are not flawed and capable of great things.
Don’t make the issues your focus; instead, tell the child everything you know about their background and how they came to be this way. Even if you don’t fully grasp everything, you can articulate what you know.
When children are sad and feel unsupported, they learn the least. Make it clear that you adore them and that you recognize their intelligence. Encourage your child, reassure them, and let them see they are capable of great things and will succeed in the long run.
2. Set up entertaining outdoor pursuits.
When tensions rise, a mental vacation is necessary. Spending time in nature is one of the most effective ways to recharge your brain.
Plan a stroll or a scavenger hunt—something enjoyable to do outside. Another option is to allow them have free outdoor games. Allow your child time to regroup before returning to that challenging math task.
3. Assist with their homework.
Seek supplementary help if completing your schoolwork becomes an ongoing challenge. You and your child can both greatly benefit from having a homework aide or tutor come in during the evenings.
Also, it’s a good idea to ask your child’s instructor for additional support or, in extreme circumstances, to skip sending homework if they spend an hour or more each night struggling with it. Extra worksheets aren’t more important than your child’s mental wellness.
4. Get help
Parents who worry about a child’s academic performance can take the following measures:
- They may keep their child interested and involved in the material by using interactive learning methods at home, such as apps, games, etc.
- They are able to seek assistance from any number of mental health providers, including psychologists. This can assist in finding out why the child is having trouble and making sure their brain is developing normally.
- To determine if the child can benefit from any adjustments or accommodations, they can consult their teacher.
5. Enable your child to take the lead
Parents immediately impose extra rules on their children when they detect that they are acting rebelliously. This strategy is incorrect. Adding more work to your child’s already heavy workload will worsen things for them. Consequently, it would help if you allowed your child to decide.
For instance, if you notice a steady decline in your child’s grades, you might consult them to discover ways to turn things around. Whether your child prefers an online education app or a private tutor, you should respect their choice.
6. Explore various approaches to learning
How children learn is unique. Audiovisual aids are necessary for some children. Some children learn best through hands-on projects.
Consider your child’s learning styles and pick the ones that work best if they struggle in school. You may find a wealth of information online to help your kid succeed in school.
Look for documentaries and films on YouTube. Online printouts can be found. Try to find some practical uses for the issues you’re facing. Persevere until you discover your child’s sweet spot.
7. Remain a pillar of support
In times of need, your child can always count on you to be there for them. When your child is having academic difficulties, it can be challenging to maintain emotional control. The fact that they are aware of your devotion to them is crucial.
Stay in touch and reassure them that they have someone to talk to who will listen without passing judgment. When they open up, pay attention to what they have to say, respond favorably, and work together to find answers.
Remember that no matter how insignificant something may appear to you, it is teaching them something extremely important right now. Lead them; do not criticize them.
8. Get others to understand
Too many kids suffer because their teachers don’t get them. Some teachers motivate their students while others turn them off, as you may recall from your school days. If you’re worried about their academic performance, get down with your child’s teacher as soon as possible.
Your child isn’t intentionally misbehaving. They aren’t picking and selecting; they’re just trying their hardest. After attempting to understand so many basic skills, their memory is full; thus, they need help keeping up.
Everyone who spends time with your child—teachers, friends, family, and others—should be aware of their challenges and understand that they should not be held responsible.
Make sure no one brings them down by comparing them to their friends, cousins, or siblings who are excelling academically. The struggling child may have numerous sentiments of inadequateness due to this.
Conclusion
Sit down and talk with your child about their feelings and experiences. When your child is comfortable talking to you and knows they won’t face punishment or criticism, they are more inclined to open up.
Being a friend to your child provides a safe space for them to discuss any difficulties they may be having, whether they are related to school or not. You also have the chance to learn more about how to best support your child.