Is Your Child Struggling In School? Watch for These Signs

Keeping a pulse on student learning progress can be challenging, especially when busy family schedules leave everyone in the house in constant motion. It’s important for parents to know when learning is going well, and even more so when things may be a struggle. Not sure how to tell if your child is struggling or how to help your kids’ grades? Keep these scenarios in mind as you navigate the school season in the coming weeks.

The “B” Word

Students who struggle may or may not have insight into what’s challenging them. When minds wander because comprehension is lacking, a typical response from students is that their teacher, the content, or even the work they have been assigned is capital “b” boring. I know that I’ve heard this word a zillion times with my daughters.

Should your child complain that school is boring, consider digging a little bit to get to the root of the issue. One technique to try is to have your child explain back to you what they are learning, why it’s important, and how their assignment helps them to understand and practice skills. If your child cannot articulate each of these key pieces, they may need your intervention to clear up any conceptual misunderstandings.

I’m “Sick”

Struggling in school goes beyond academic learning. Students of all ages experience tremendous social-emotional growth during their K-12 years. Conflict with peers can leave a student who has not yet fully developed self-advocacy skills feeling helpless. It may even manifest as physical symptoms. Should you find your child frequently complaining about not feeling well and wanting to stay home from school, the culprit could very well be a matter of the heart. This is a great time to ask about friends and social activities outside of school. Ongoing communication is one of the best ways to uncover any struggles.

Homework Battles

Most educators will say the purpose of homework is to provide independent practice for students to demonstrate the content they have learned in class. If your child leaves class fully understanding the lesson, homework shouldn’t be a battle. Students who struggle with homework are likely agonizing in the classroom as well. This is a great time to check in with your child’s teacher for clarification and a quick progress update.  

Limited or Unsatisfactory Progress

Many schools have systems in place for parents to monitor student progress through online portals. Here parents can typically see vital statistics such as attendance, assignment completion, and rate of progress. Leveraging available tools to monitor your child’s successes and challenges just make sense and will serve to prevent any unwanted surprises as the school year progresses.

Parents have a lifetime job of guiding and supporting their children. Whether your child is 3 or 13, there’s always a lot of love and support we parents can give. How do you help your child throughout the school year? Contact me and let me know!