3 Ways To Help A Child Who’s Having A Hard Time At School

School can be a fun and interesting yet stressful and overwhelming place for many students. While your child might excel in one area of school, other areas might be difficult for him or her to grasp or learn. Not only this, but school also is just as much about social education as it is about academics, which don’t come easy to many children.

So if you’ve noticed that your child has been struggling in school, be it with their studies, with their behavior, or with their socialization, here are three ways that you can help your child get through these hard times at school. 

Make Sure There’s Nothing More Serious Going On

In some cases, a child who’s having a hard time at school could be a sign that there’s something more serious going on. While this could be something that’s relatively easy to fix, it could also be a sign that there’s some kind of abuse taking place at school, be it from other students or faculty members. 

To rule something like this out, Dr. Mary L. Gavin, a contributor to KidsHealth.org, advises that one of the first things you should do when your child is having a hard time at school is take him or her to their pediatrician. At this appointment, your doctor will likely check to see if there’s anything physically wrong with your child, like vision or hearing problems, as well as any mental or behavioral issues like ADD or ADHD. 

Don’t Push Too Hard

If school is proving to be challenging for your child, sometimes the worst thing you can do is to continue to push your child when they’re at home. This can especially be the case in academic situations.

To know how to respond to these types of situations, PBS Kids recommends that you allow your child to take a break when it’s needed, especially if your child is very frustrated or stressed. Additionally, if your child is struggling with their homework, it can be helpful to set shorter time limits when work should be done followed by something that’s enjoyable for your child. 

Involve Your Child In The Problem Solving Process

For many parents, you might recognize that things aren’t easy for your child but you might not know what or why. In situations like this, it can be very beneficial to include your child in the problem-solving process.

To do this, Amy Morin, a contributor to Very Well Family, advises that you ask your child to explain what’s going on and to come up with their own solutions for how to address or cope with the situation. Their solutions can often be much more beneficial than either of you will realize. 

If you see that your child is having a hard time at school, consider using the tips mentioned above to help you find ways to support your child.