How is your child doing at school? Are you starting to get a feeling that they’re falling behind or that something just isn’t right? Perhaps your child has just received a poor school report, or you’ve noticed a downward trend in their grades.
As a parent, you’re invested in your child’s progress and happiness at school. You’ll often pick up on it when they have a problem with their friends or have just had a bad day. However, if your child is struggling with learning, the problem might not be so obvious at first. Let’s take a look at some of the signs to look out for and what you can do to get your child back on track.
Not So Keen to Go to School
Many children have moments when they’re not so enthusiastic about school. They might have had a falling out with friends, or they might be adjusting to a new teacher. Usually, the moment is fleeting and they are skipping through the gates again before you know it.
Your child might also show reluctance to start the school day if they are struggling to keep up with lessons or a particular subject. This might not be apparent until they have slipped way behind the rest of the class. If your child is commenting that “school’s boring”, or that they hate going, it could be time to take some action. Arrange a meeting with their teacher at the earliest opportunity to find out what’s happening and how you can support your child at home.
A Poor School Report
If you’ve just received your child’s latest school report and it’s less than glowing, don’t feel too deflated. Whether your child’s grades were lower than expected, or they are causing disruption in class, there is always a chance to turn things around.
If your teacher has mentioned that your child may be struggling in some areas, whether academically or behaviorally, get as much information as you can so that you can do what you can to address the problem at home.
Takes a Long Time to Finish Homework
How is your child coping with homework? Are they managing to get it done on time and to a satisfactory standard, or are they struggling to manage their workload? Sometimes, this can be down to poor time management. Other times, this may be an indication that they are finding the subject or homework instructions difficult.
Always try to supervise homework time when possible. Even if you’re just taking a quick look over the instructions or checking your child is working, this shows you are around to help if they need it. Try to keep an eye on the work the teacher has set and how well your child is understanding the instructions and meeting deadlines. You could also ask your child’s teacher how long they should be spending on each piece.
Misbehaving in Class
Have you been called in recently to discuss your child’s behaviour in class? If your child is becoming frustrated in lessons because they are struggling to keep up, this could manifest itself as misbehaviour. Your child is still learning how to cope in certain situations and may not yet have the communication skills to ask for help. The easiest way to express frustration is to lash out as a way to get attention.
Your teacher will want to work with you to get to the bottom of the problem. Together, you can identify triggers for bad behaviour and whether these triggers are connected to struggles in the classroom.
How a Tutor Can Help
All children struggle at school at some point, whether it’s learning core subjects, preparing for exams, or managing projects and coursework. The trick is to spot these signs early and get your child back on track.
Arranging regular tutor sessions is a highly effective way to support your child’s learning and to support you as a caring parent. At Tutor Doctor, our tutors are here to identify gaps in knowledge, support your child on a multitude of topics, and review progress regularly. Find a local tutor today and discover how tutoring can help your child to overcome their learning challenges.
