Is Your Kid Struggling in School? Practical Steps to Turn Things Around

As a parent, you hope your child comes home from school with a beaming smile, eagerly recounting their day. But this can be far from reality when your child struggles in school. While offering encouragement that “tomorrow is a new day” can help, it’s often not enough. Identifying your child’s struggles early on enables you to take proactive measures that support their academic achievement and help build resilience, a sense of accomplishment, and confidence.

Understanding the Causes of a Child Struggling in School

There are many reasons why children struggle in school. The first step is to identify what is going on with your child—talk to them. While we all know that it can be hard for our kids to open up when they feel frustrated or embarrassed, using leading questions and an empathetic approach can help them feel comfortable discussing why they may be struggling. Some common reasons children struggle in school include:

Learning Challenges

Parents often notice signs that their child may have a learning disability or learning challenge once they begin school. For instance, students with dyslexia may show reluctance when asked to read aloud in class and struggle with breaking words into sounds, spelling, and relating letters to sounds. Children with attention deficit / hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may make careless mistakes in their schoolwork, fidget in their seats, or become easily distracted.

Common symptoms of a learning disorder or challenge in children may include:

Difficulty mastering age-appropriate reading, spelling, writing, or math skills
Trouble following or understanding directions
Lack of coordination or fine motor skills
Frequently forgetting or losing things
Struggling to complete assignments on time
Behavioral issues, such as defiance or strong emotional reactions at school or during assignments

While nearly every child may struggle with classwork or assignments at times, if symptoms persist for at least six months and don’t improve with support from an adult, a child should be evaluated for a learning disorder.

Issues With Engagement

According to national surveys, 40–60% of students showed signs of disengagement in school before the COVID-19 pandemic. Unfortunately, the pandemic has only worsened this growing issue. Not only are students’ participation, effort, and classroom behavior declining, but they are also relying on short-term strategies to get by, rather than engaging in deeper, more meaningful learning.

Disengagement can stem from various factors, including learning challenges, lack of valuable feedback from teachers, monotonous teaching methods, failure to connect lessons to real-world scenarios, or external personal concerns. If your child struggles with engagement, they may be less likely to participate in class, lack motivation to complete homework, or exhibit disruptive or disinterested behavior.

Environmental Factors and Emotional Issues

As much as we want to shield our children from emotional or physical pain, the reality is that difficult experiences will inevitably touch their lives. Major life changes and family dynamics—such as divorce, a big move, the arrival of a new baby, or the illness or death of a loved one—can have a tremendous impact on a child. The intense emotions they feel during these events are completely normal and expected.

It’s also important to consider other factors, such as exposure to catastrophic or tragic events and the 24-hour news cycle. Depending on their age, some of these topics may be difficult for children to comprehend fully, but they often still feel the weight of the situation and the anxiety it brings. I remember being a child during the September 11 attacks, when multiple classes were brought together in one room. Many of us sat on the floor, and the fear and heightened awareness we all felt in school over the next several weeks were palpable. Today, children are exposed to global events in a way we never were, often amplifying their anxiety.

Bullying

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one in five high school students experiences bullying—a traumatic event that can significantly affect a child’s academic performance. Recognizing the signs of bullying is key to helping your child. In addition to declining grades or disinterest in school, your child may also display the following behaviors:

Reluctance to go to school or ride the bus
Changes in personality, mood, appetite, or appearance
Difficulty sleeping or nightmares
Stolen, lost, or damaged belongings

If you’re concerned that your child is being bullied, it’s crucial to talk to them. While they may be hesitant to talk about being bullied, there are helpful strategies you can use to guide the conversation and help them open up.

Signs a Child Could Be Having Difficulty in School

Parents often know their children better than anyone else, so they’ll likely be the first to notice changes in their behavior or patterns. Recognizing that your kid may be struggling in school is the first step toward helping them. Watch for signs such as:

Behavioral Indicators

Withdrawal or isolation
Disengagement from class activities and social interactions
Loss of interest in school or reluctance to attend
Disruptive behavior in class

Academic Indicators

Declining grades
Missed assignments
Lack of participation in class
Reduced motivation to study

Emotional Indicators

Negative self-talk related to school
Signs of anxiety or stress when going to school, studying, or completing assignments
Feeling more overwhelmed than usual about school

How to Help a Child Struggling Academically at Home

The good news is that you can take many proactive steps to support your child at home. Your positivity and encouragement play a crucial role in boosting their confidence and success. Here are some ways to help them overcome academic challenges:

Communicate Early and Often

Creating an environment where your child feels comfortable expressing their feelings is key. While some children will come right out and share their frustrations or concerns, others may take longer to open up. Help them feel at ease by listening actively and empathetically, asking guiding questions about school and the root of their struggles, and showing genuine interest in their concerns.

Validate their feelings by letting them know it’s okay to feel frustrated or defeated—because you’ve felt that way, too. Normalizing their struggles can open the door for you to share how you would handle situations that frustrate you, offering them a sense of connection and support.

Encourage Positive Study Habits and Routines

Establishing positive study habits can help set your child up for academic success. While the approach may look different for each child, here are some ways you can help them study effectively at home:

Set up a distraction-free workspace
Create a calendar with important dates and deadlines for assignments and tests
Teach effective study techniques, such as listening to soothing music, turning memorization into a game, studying with friends, or earning rewards
Schedule breaks to avoid burnout
Avoid cramming or leaving assignments until the last minute
Identify your child’s learning style and use it—whether they learn best by writing information on notecards, reading content aloud, or visualizing it in charts or on a whiteboard

Build Your Child’s Confidence and Motivation

As a parent, you know the joy of seeing your child beam with pride while showing off their artwork or school project. Children long for our approval, and our words can tremendously impact their self-esteem and confidence. When supporting them through school struggles, focus on effort rather than perfection and celebrate small successes along the way. Did they study hard for a test and earn a passing grade? Celebrate! This will help maintain their motivation and encourage them to keep trying.

Extracurricular activities can also work wonders for building confidence. Help your child explore clubs, sports, or activities they’re interested in. Not only will they make new friends, but they’ll also build essential skills like leadership, collaboration, and problem-solving.

Partnering With Teachers and School Staff

Setting up a time to meet with your child’s teacher or guidance counselor is an important step in creating a solid support team for your child. Depending on their situation, the school can likely make some accommodations or offer help.

Keep Lines of Communication Open

Let your child’s teacher know that you’re actively working with them at home and would like to stay informed about the feedback they receive at school. This encourages the teacher to keep you updated on important assignments, upcoming tests, and any changes in your child’s progress or behavior. It also provides an opportunity for the teacher to notice any signs of bullying.

Create an Action Plan

When meeting with the teacher or guidance counselor, work together to create a plan that addresses your child’s learning needs. This may entail options like hiring a tutor, attending group study sessions, developing a personalized learning plan, or seating your child closer to the front of the class.

4 Tips for Exploring Additional Academic Support for Kids Struggling in School

Many tools and resources are available to enrich your child’s learning process and provide additional academic support. Depending on their needs and the action plan you’ve created with their teacher, the following resources may be helpful:

Tutors or After-School Help: Sometimes, kids need a little extra academic support, and a tutor can be a great option. Online tutoring services, like K12 Tutoring, offer one-to-one sessions with state-certified teachers. Since these sessions are virtual, you can schedule them at times that are most convenient for you—all from the comfort of your home.
Study Group: Ask your child’s teacher about any study groups outside of the classroom or help your child coordinate a study group with their peers to reinforce learning together.
Local Libraries: Many libraries offer more than just books and computers. They often provide educational services such as tutoring, learning camps, and homeschooling resources. Contact your local library to learn about the resources they offer.
Non-Profit Organizations: Organizations like Boys & Girls Clubs of America provide valuable student support, offering individual tutoring and daily homework help.

Recognizing When to Seek Professional Help

Sometimes, children need extra support beyond what can be provided at home or in the classroom. If the challenges persist, your child’s teachers and health care provider can help you determine the next steps. This may involve evaluating your child for a formalized special education plan, visiting a psychologist or psychiatrist, or assessing them for a learning disability or ADHD with a pediatrician.

Helping Your Child Succeed: The Power of Patience, Persistence, and Support

Early intervention and proactive support are key to helping your child rediscover the joy of learning! Your steadfast guidance and encouragement foster their academic success and promote personal growth, resilience, and confidence. While it can be overwhelming as the parent, with patience and persistence, you and your child can overcome these academic obstacles together,

Many families have turned to the personalized learning environment offered at virtual schools, such as K12-powered online schools, to overcome learning loss and other academic challenges. To learn more about K12-powered online schools, go to K12.com.