It can be worrying to see your child struggling at school. Whether they are finding lessons difficult, losing confidence, or becoming reluctant to attend, it’s natural to feel concerned. The good news is that challenges at school are common, and with the right support, most children can overcome them and thrive.
Here are some practical steps you can take if your child is finding school difficult.
Start with Open Conversations
The first step is simply to talk. Choose a calm moment and ask gentle, open-ended questions about their day. Instead of “Did you have a good day?”, try “What was the best part of your day?” or “Was there anything that felt tricky today?”
Listen carefully and avoid jumping in with solutions straight away. Children often need to feel heard before they are ready to accept help. Reassure them that everyone finds things challenging sometimes and that struggling does not mean they are not clever or capable.
Speak to the School
If concerns continue, arrange a meeting with your child’s teacher. Teachers can provide valuable insight into how your child is coping academically, socially and emotionally. They may have already noticed patterns or can suggest strategies being used in the classroom.
Ask specific questions:
- Are there particular subjects they find difficult?
- Have there been any changes in behaviour?
- How do they interact with classmates?
Working in partnership with the school ensures everyone is supporting your child in a consistent way.
Identify the Root Cause
Children struggle for many different reasons. It could be academic gaps, difficulty concentrating, friendship issues, anxiety, or even something happening outside of school. Sometimes a child who appears to be “falling behind” simply learns in a different way.
If needed, the school may suggest additional assessments to explore possible learning differences such as dyslexia or ADHD. Identifying the root cause allows for targeted support rather than guesswork.
Build Confidence at Home
Confidence plays a huge role in school success. Focus on your child’s strengths and interests outside the classroom, whether that’s sport, art, music or building things. Success in one area can positively impact their belief in themselves more generally.
Celebrate effort rather than results. Phrases such as “I’m proud of how hard you tried” reinforce resilience and encourage a growth mindset.
Creating a calm, structured homework routine can also help. A quiet space, regular timings and short breaks can make learning at home feel more manageable.
Encourage Independence and Problem-Solving
While it’s tempting to step in and fix things, helping your child develop problem-solving skills is more beneficial in the long term. Ask, “What do you think might help?” or “What could you try differently next time?”
This approach builds independence and teaches them that challenges are something they can work through, not avoid.
Seek Additional Support if Needed
If difficulties persist, consider extra support such as tutoring, mentoring or speaking with your GP for advice. Early intervention can make a significant difference and prevent small issues from becoming bigger concerns.
Remember, struggling at school does not define your child’s future. With patience, understanding and the right support, children can rebuild confidence, develop new skills and rediscover their love of learning. The key is staying involved, staying positive and reminding them that they are never alone in facing a challenge.