What to Do if Your Child Is Struggling in School
In the world of rainbows and unicorns, children love school. They have no trouble understanding and mastering new skills. They enjoy going to class, and their teachers have only wonderful things to say about them.
Unfortunately for us, the world of rainbows and unicorns doesn’t exist. In the real world, we all encounter obstacles. I encounter them every day, and so do my children. It’s perfectly normal. If your child is having learning difficulties, how should you react? What can you do to help? Read on for a few tips.
Identify the Cause
Talk to your child to find the root of the problem.
Learning difficulties can be directly related to a school subject, but there are also many other factors that can interfere with learning: visual impairments, difficulty concentrating, conflicts with classmates, mobility problems, dyslexia, dyspraxia, dysphasia, and more. A bad grade on an exam might be due to a lack of studying or another issue entirely. Sitting down with your child’s teacher can also be a good way to better understand the source of the problem.
Stay Positive and Have Open Dialogue
No one is good at everything! It’s important to emphasize your child’s talents so they don’t lose self-confidence. For example, they might struggle in math class, but write excellent and imaginative essays.
Highlight their strengths.
Their strengths might lie outside school. Staying positive will show your child that you believe in their abilities. Let them know that difficulties are simply part of life, and that they can get past them.
If you also went through rough patches when you were a student, consider sharing those experiences with your child.
- What did you do to surmount these obstacles?
- Which subjects were most challenging for you?
- Which ones were easier, or came to you more naturally?
By discussing your own experiences with your child, you can ease any school-related anxiety they might be feeling. They’ll understand that you don’t expect them to be perfect.
Offer Support While Keeping Them Involved
If your child’s struggles have a social, psychological, or physical cause, you can try to find a solution together or consult a medical professional.
If their difficulties are related to schoolwork, you can discuss possible courses of action.
- Can you tutor them?
- Have you considered Alloprof’s free homework assistance service?
- Does your child’s school offer tutoring or remedial courses?
Above all, your child should be part of the solution!
By listening to your child’s ideas, you can explore potential avenues together, and they’ll feel good about being actively involved in the solution!