What To Do If Your Child Is Struggling In School
Posted on: 20 August 2019
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No parent wants to see their child perform poorly in the classroom. If your child has been bringing home grades or test scores that are not where you want them to be, you are, of course, going to investigate the matter. Here are some tips and best practices to keep in mind as you move forward with this process.
Is It a Problem of Motivation or Something Else?
Some kids just don't like school. They bring home bad grades not because they can't do better, but because they simply don't care. If your kid fits this description, you can, of course, come up with a punishment like grounding them that might catch their attention. Other children feel motivated when they have a reward to work toward, like receiving a new video game or some other gift.
But you should not just automatically assume that your child is lazy or doesn't care. Some kids get bad grades in certain subjects even when they are really trying.
Have Your Child Tested If Necessary
If you believe your child's classroom problems are from a learning disability, you should reach out to an expert who can help. For example, there are students out there who have difficulty understanding the basic concepts of reading and writing. Some students just naturally struggle with words and might need to take a more multisensory approach. Talk to your student's teachers about options or reach out to another education professional who can test your child to see what the problem is.
Consider a Tutor or Special Program
If it is discovered that your child does have a learning disability, your top priority should be letting your child know this in a positive way. They should not be told that something is wrong with them. Instead, frame it as positive news because now you know how to help them get better grades in school.
Most teachers are willing to give certain students extra attention if needed, but a learning disability may require extra work from an outside program or tutor. In the example given earlier, if a student is having trouble understanding words while reading or writing, you could consider enrolling them in a program with methodology that could cater to their needs, such as the Orton Gillingham method, an approach will let your child learn at their own pace using many more methods besides a textbook.
If your child is struggling with learning in school, be patient while getting to the bottom of the problem. Contact an expert near you to learn more today.