Why Your Kids Are Struggling In School (And How To Fix it)
No parent wants to see their kids struggling to succeed at school. If your child is on academic probation, failing classes, or has behavior problems, know that you aren’t alone. NeuroHealth has a team of specialists to help students’ academic and behavioral performance. Let’s look at 13 simple ways you can help your child succeed in school.
How to Help School Performance
- Get to Know the Teachers
Find a way to meet your child’s teacher and let them know that you are accessible. Encourage feedback by telling teachers not to hesitate if they think problems are developing with your child.
- Visit the School
Visit the school and meet the support staff, administrators, and counselors working in the school. These people will be guiding your child’s education, so it is a good idea to develop a relationship with them.
- Help Them With Homework
Often times, failure to follow a homework routine, or discipline sticking to a routine lead to poor academic performance.
Establish rules for completing homework from the very beginning. You should do your best to limit screen time to be sure that your child is completing their homework each day.
Provide your child with a quiet, comfortable place to do their homework each evening and be available to answer questions if needed.
- Teach Them How to Study
Studying is a skill not all children possess from the beginning. You may have to help them figure out which method works best for them.
If you see them struggling, consider hiring a tutor or planning study dates with other children.
- Get Involved
Many children are encouraged when they see their parents involved at school. Take every opportunity to chaperone field trips, attend career days, or volunteer for special events.
- Take Attendance Seriously
Your child can’t learn if they’re not in the classroom.
Children should only be allowed to stay home from school if they have a legitimate illness or urgent family issue.
Excessive absences are a common driver of poor academic performance.
- Know What Is Expected
Be familiar with the school’s disciplinary policy. Talk to your child about sensitive topics like bullying.
Make sure that your child understands the consequences of violating school rules.
Take a proactive approach. Ask your child to open up if they ever feel unsafe.
- Set Your Child Up for Success
A good way to set your child up for success is to make sure they go to bed at a decent time. Establish a set bedtime and stick to it.
Send your child to school ready to learn by giving them a healthy, well-balanced breakfast.
Rest and diet jump-start the mind.
- Attend Parent-Teacher Conferences
Make an effort to go to every parent-teacher conference. Even if your child is doing well in school, you should check-in with the teacher throughout the year to ensure your child’s success.
- Know What The School Offers
Your child may not always be informed about what opportunities are available to them at school. Read all the information that is sent home with your child and talk to other parents to find out what opportunities or deadlines are approaching.
- Voice Your Concerns
As a parent, it is your responsibility to voice any concerns you may have about your child’s well-being and education. Let an administrator know if you believe there are problems at school that need to be addressed.
- Demonstrate A Positive Attitude
Going to school should be fun for your child. You can help develop a positive attitude towards school by showing that you value education.
Demonstrate how you use your education in your daily life and provide them with a model for success.
- Ask Them How It’s Going
Get into the habit of providing your child the opportunity to tell you about their day. Ask questions that encourage open-ended answers – not just “yes” and “no.”
Offer Help
Now that you have the tools, start by sitting down with your child and talking to them about school.
What do your kids at school think is working? What’s not working?
If they are struggling, ask them what they need.
If you think your child may need professional help, contact us for a neuropsychological assessment.