Very few children are lucky enough to be able to breeze through their schoolwork with no problems. Most find some of it challenging and some struggle to achieve the required standards in just about every subject.
It can be frustrating for parents because you can’t do the work for them. But there are things you can do to help.
• Work out if there is an underlying cause. Your child may be dyslexic or suffer from a condition like auditory processing disorder, which makes it difficult for them to absorb information, or ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), which affects their ability to concentrate. Have a chat to your child’s teacher to see if they suspect there is something wrong and then seek professional help (your GP can recommend a specialist). Don’t jump to conclusions until you have got a diagnosis.
• Consider the possibility that mental health problems may be leading to their trouble with schoolwork. If they are being bullied or they’re stressed because of tensions at home, it can make it harder to follow instructions, concentrate and take in information.
• There could also be a physical problem, such as hearing loss or poor vision. Schoolwork is going to become a lot harder if they can’t hear the teacher or see the whiteboard.
• Are they getting enough sleep? Their problems with learning may be due to a lack of sleep and therefore an inability to focus. Also check how much screentime they have. If they are spending a lot of time on devices and computers, or watching TV, before bedtime, the blue light the screens emit can disrupt their body clock and they may be finding it hard to drop off.
• Make sure they know that you are not angry with them, that you are trying to help. Never ever put them down or tell them they are stupid. Let them know that some people just find schoolwork harder than others and it may take them longer to learn things, but it can be done. Praise them for the things they can do.
• If it’s just one or two subjects they find tricky and you can afford it, it may be worth hiring a tutor to give them one-on-one help. Sometimes you can ask the teacher to pair them up with another pupil who is at a more advanced level and can help them out in class. Secondary schools often run after-school sessions for pupils who need extra assistance in particular subjects.
• If your child has serious learning issues, they may need to be referred to an educational therapist for specialist help. Talk to the school about this.
• Encourage them to persevere. In many cases children find they get better at a subject when they do it over and over again, until it sinks in.
• Set aside time every night to help them with homework – without actually doing it for them yourself. They may be too embarrassed to ask the teacher or classmates for help, but happy to tell you what they are struggling with. If you can’t answer their questions, find someone who can.
