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. Identifying your child’s struggles early on enables you to take proactive measures that support their academic achievement and help build resilience, confidence, and a sense of accomplishment.

Understanding the Causes of a Child Struggling in School

The first step is to identify what is going on with your child—talk to them. 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:

Academics

Parents often notice signs that their child may need additional academic support or a different learning environment.

Common challenges for children/students may include:

Difficulty mastering reading, spelling, writing, or math skills
Trouble following or understanding directions
Needing breaks more often than their school allows
Struggling to complete assignments on time
Requiring an academic pace that’s more personalized

Engagement

According to national surveys, 40–60% of students showed signs of disengagement in traditional school even before the COVID-19 pandemic. Participation, effort, and classroom behavior in traditional schools are declining, leading to an increased need for school options like K12-powerd public school, which provides studens with the more flexible learning.

Environmental Factors

It’s also important to consider other factors, such as a flexible and safe environment. Today, children are exposed to global events in a way we never were, often amplifying their anxiety. Giving students a sense of comfort and an education that fits their style can support a positive learning experience. Feeling comfortable where they learn can make them a happier, more successful student.

Safety

Students deserve to feel empowered in their place of learning. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one in five high school students experiences bullying—which can affect a child’s academic performance. School options like K12 have anti-bullying regulations and have certified teacher trained to identify and support enrolled students.

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.

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.

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

To help your child get back on track, it’s important to foster open communication, validate your child’s feelings and build positive study habits and routines at home. Encouraging confidence through extracurricular activities, partnering with teachers, and creating an action plan are valuable at every step. Additional support options include tutors, study groups, and community resources, and if problems persist, seeking professional evaluation may be necessary to address deeper learning or emotional needs.

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,