5 Things You Can Do If Your Child Is Struggling at School

According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), there were over 56 million students enrolled in schools across America in 2018. Millions of these students struggle in school for several reasons, including bullying, learning disabilities, cognitive impairments, physical impediments and personal issues. These challenges can be extremely worrisome for parents who want to help their kids flourish. Thankfully, there are steps you can take to help out your child if they’re having a tough time. If your child struggles in school, use these strategies to address their needs and help them thrive academically.

1. Tutoring

Everyone has a different way of processing information and may be better suited to different methods of teaching. Sometimes your child isn’t learning well simply because a teacher isn’t using the method that works best for their specific style of learning. In this case, it might be a good idea to hire a tutor.

Tutors are academic professionals who provide instruction in specific subjects. They can provide one-on-one instruction or include your child in a small group. Tutors are often able to effectively help students learn new concepts because they can provide them with the time and attention needed to determine what’s hindering their learning. They can assess your child’s ability to learn by using various methods to reach them in a personalized way. This is especially helpful to parents who suddenly need to teach their child geometry as part of online learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

If your child struggles with a specific subject, invest in a tutor who specializes in that subject. For example, Hello Thinkster concentrates on providing the best resources for mathematics. Whether it’s geometry, algebra or any other topic, they have tutors who can help anyone figure out the area of a triangle, no matter how much they hate math. Their tutors have the skills and knowledge needed to help students in elementary, middle and high school. They also provide resources for parents. If you’re struggling to help your child with their math homework, Hello Thinkster’s guide will enable you to teach geometry proofs like a pro.

2. Essential Resources

Your child may be struggling because of inadequate resources. Millions of schoolchildren do not have access to the internet at home. Without access to the internet, they may struggle to complete homework and class projects. Children should also have access to age-appropriate reading materials in order to expand their vocabulary and reading skills.

If you do not have internet access at home or lack appropriate children’s books, you can sign up for a library card. Public libraries offer free internet access within their buildings. Libraries also have computers students can use to access the internet, and your child can borrow books for free. You could also arrange for a neighbor to allow your child to use their internet for their homework or take your child to a restaurant that provides free internet access.

3. Counseling

There may be emotional factors that are contributing to your child’s issues at school. If your child is being bullied, they may dread going to school or struggle to focus in class. Your child may also have a hard time prioritizing schoolwork if they are concerned about problems at home.

Turn to qualified mental health experts, such as those who work with the Therapy Group of NYC. Professional counselors can provide online therapy to help determine the source of the emotional issues affecting your child. Therapists have the tools and knowledge needed to help your child determine how to resolve their issues or manage them more effectively. Whether your child just needs a good listener who isn’t a family member or a more serious form of mental health treatment, the right therapist can make an important impact on your child’s ability to succeed at school. There are many options that make counseling convenient—text therapy, online therapy sessions or in person therapy are all possible depending on wha works best for you. If you think your child might need some extra support, consider giving the Therapy Group of NYC a phone call and seeing if they have a psychologist, psychiatrist or therapist who might be a good fit for your child. Absolute confidentiality is guaranteed, so it won’t hurt to get a quick consultation over a phone call. And it may do your kid a whole lot of good.

4. Homework Support

Many students struggle with their homework. This may be because they’re bored or frustrated. One way to help is to work with your child when they’re completing their homework. That way, you’ll get a sense of which subjects they’re having difficulty with. You can also ask their teacher for extra resources to help your child understand the challenging concepts and processes.

Another option is investing in a homework helper. Sometimes, children learn best from their peers. They may be motivated to work harder and demonstrate their academic skills.

If your child is avoiding homework because they’re bored, you can motivate them by promising a favored activity or extra screen time if they complete their homework promptly. Make a habit of checking over their work to ensure they’re doing it correctly. This will also help you identify any concepts or tasks they don’t understand.

5. Physical Health Issues

Sometimes, children struggle in school because of physical impediments. Your child may have difficulty reading the information presented on overhead screens or dry erase boards if they can’t see correctly. Take them to an optometrist to have their eyes tested to ensure they can visually process data.

Hearing loss can also impact your child. Signs of hearing loss in children include talking loudly, asking people to repeat themselves, or not responding when spoken to. If your child exhibits symptoms of hearing loss, take them to an audiologist. Audiologists are experts who are qualified to diagnose and treat hearing issues. They may be able to restore your child’s hearing and prevent further hearing loss. Audiologists can also prescribe hearing aids to ensure your child can hear adequately.