As parents, we often worry about a poor school report as much, if not more, as our kids do! And if your child's grades are slipping, you'll be looking for reasons and if there's anything you can do to help.
There are numerous reasons why a child might be struggling in class. Early intervention can be very effective, so it's helpful to identify any concerns as soon as possible. Once you have worked out the reasons for your child's underperformance, you can consider any additional support they may require.
The issue might be just temporary. And kids develop at different rates, so your child might need a little more time to catch up. However, if your child is no longer working as well as they used to, here are some potential reasons why they might be struggling.
If a child goes through a stressful time, their behaviour and performance in class can be significantly affected. Stress may be caused by many factors, including school, family issues such as separation or divorce, friendship issues, extra-curricular sports or activities, or peer pressure. Children can also become stressed if they don't get enough sleep.
Children's emotional needs differ. For example, some need to be liked, so if they get bullied or fall out with their friends, it can affect their academic performance. Other kids may have poor self-esteem and will do things they think will make them be accepted. Smoking cigarettes or experimenting with drugs or alcohol could significantly impact their education.
Your child might be spending too much time gaming or watching movies and forgetting to study. Nowadays, it's almost too easy for kids to play games, access social media and watch TV, even while at school. And at home, many parents are too busy to monitor them all the time.
To help your child improve their grades, you will need to reduce the time they spend on their screens. For example, you may find a screen time monitor app helpful. And make sure there are no other distractions when they are studying.
Many children experience social anxiety, feeling shy, nervous and uncomfortable in social situations. For example, they may find speaking in class, participating in PE, having lunch in the dining hall, or attending social gatherings challenging.
If your child has social anxiety, talk to their teachers, who will be able to help and encourage them.
Kids with ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) often find it hard to sit still and focus on schoolwork.
When children have been diagnosed with ADHD, their teachers will help them stay on task and fulfil their academic potential. Many children can study more effectively once they have an individualised learning plan.
Some children have trouble controlling their emotions and coping with stress. This may lead to intense outbursts, aggression towards others, or self-injurious behaviours such as cutting themselves.
Children with poor emotional regulation cannot control their anger at times, which may cause problems when interacting with others at school. In addition, teachers might not understand why they are underperforming.
Emotional dysregulation can also lead to injurious behaviours such as self-harm, so it is essential to provide the help your child needs. This may take the form of therapy or counselling sessions that can help them cope with the situations they find challenging.
Problems with memory, language skills, and other cognitive difficulties can cause children to underperform at school. However, cognitive deficits are not related to a child's intelligence. Instead, they indicated that a child's lack of specific abilities is holding them back from fulfilling their potential. A child with cognitive issues will probably benefit from professional advice to help them do better at school.
Keep the lines of communication open and be there to talk things through when they are ready. Encourage your child to be honest and open about their feelings rather than bottling things up.
Schools are very experienced in helping children to achieve the best they can. So talk to your child's teachers, find out what they can offer and work with them to support your child.
Help kids to overcome anxiety by encouraging different social activities outside the home. This will help them develop new friendships and overcome stress in a relaxed environment.
If your child is not doing well at a mainstream school, talk to their teachers. They may recommend a school that specialises .in educating children with issues such as ADHD.
Limit entertainment time and encourage your child to read instead. Reading together will help them be comfortable with and enjoy reading for its own sake while developing an essential skill for their future studies.
Many schools provide a counselling service for kids who are struggling and underperforming. Talking things through with a trusted counsellor or therapist can support your child to cope with the emotional stresses that are holding them back academically.
You should also ensure that your kid gets enough rest by promoting good sleep hygiene. For example, enforce the same bedtime every night and ban screens after this time, no matter what their friends are allowed.
Identifying the reasons why your child may not be performing well at school can help you find solutions to support them. And remember, you're not alone! Many parents and children face similar difficulties, overcome them and fulfil their true potential.
Sources:
https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/stressed-out-kids
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-adhd/
What are your aims in life? Do you plan to be rich, to be a top footballer, to be a good parent, or to become Prime Minister? However efficiently you plan your life, sooner or later you are going to come up against obstacles to achieving your goals.
Your relationship ends, or you lose your job, and you get stuck in a rut of negative thoughts and suffering. How good are you at letting go of grudges and accepting that some things are beyond your control? Take our quiz to find out!
Read the complete article
Mental health issues such as depression and anxiety affect around 1 in 6 people at some stage of their life. Despite it being such a common problem, many sufferers wait months or even years before seeking help.
No one knows what the future holds, so don't waste time and energy worrying about it. Read our tips and find out how to stop being afraid of what might never happen.
Read the complete article
Have you ever noticed that some people are instantly likeable? Many people believe that people will only like you because of natural traits you're born with: good looks, talent and sociability. But this is a misconception. Getting people to like you is within your control, and it's all to do with self-belief, knowing yourself and being emotionally intelligent. Here's what to do to be more likeable.
It's not always easy to tell if someone has depression. While some signs such as sadness, pessimism and withdrawal from social interaction are easy to recognise, other symptoms may be less obvious. And some people are very good at hiding their depression - even from themselves!
Learn how to recognise the signs of stress and avoid slipping into a burnout or a bore-out
Do you sometimes feel your achievements are not the result of your hard work and skill but are just luck? And do you fear that one day, someone will reveal you as an imposter or fraud? You might have imposter syndrome!
As nice as it is for a person to celebrate New Year, it's not so nice for a dog, especially when the loud fireworks go off the whole night. This is really frightening for many dogs. Read our 7 tips on how you can help your dog with his fear of fireworks.
When you think about things that will make you happy, what are the images that come to mind? Wealth, beauty, a dream house, long holidays, a top of the range car? Happiness is not a constant and how happy we feel depends on the way we choose to live our lives.
Are you unsure which Bach flowers can help you? Contact Tom for free advice.
