Every parent wants their kids to do well in school, but not every child manages to meet their parents' expectations. If you're currently facing this problem with your young one, it can be highly concerning and, sometimes, a bit frustrating. However, before putting any blame on anyone, especially on your child, take time to figure what could be making them unmotivated. A number of factors can be responsible for a child's unsatisfactory academic performance, not necessarily lack of discipline or plain laziness.
That said, let's discuss everything you need to know about a child's struggle in school, and what you can do to help and uplift them.
Signs Your Kid is Not Enjoying School
You can enrol your child to the school offering outstanding elementary education, such as those in Gilbert, Arizona, and many other thriving municipalities, but if they are not enjoying their time in school, their competent teachers and quality curriculum can only do so much. It is you that your child needs to overcome their struggles, academically or socially.
Here are the signs your child isn't enjoying:
- Refusal to discuss anything about school. We normally ask our kids how did school go when they return home, but if your kid suddenly refuses to tell you anything about their day or their academics, it could be the first sign that they're struggling.
- Negative attitude towards school. If they become hostile or indifferent when you talk about school, it could mean that they are bored or they don't understand the lessons being taught to them. Boredom may also result from a poor understanding of a topic or subject.
- Trouble sleeping or eating. This difficulty could stem from worry about their unsatisfactory academic performance.
- Takes too long to finish their homework. Unless they have a mountain of homework, your kid shouldn't be taking too long to finish assignments at home. Generally, a child should only spend 10 minutes per grade level on homework daily. Thus, spending long hours on homework every day is considered a serious sign of having trouble in school.
- Their teachers get concerned. Even if your child behaves favorably at home, it doesn't mean they're the same in school. Listen to what their teachers have to say when they give you a call, as it will be an opportunity for you to discover your child's struggles and help them.
Reason Children Lose Motivation
- Social factors – Some kids may be teasing them for excelling in school, so they tone down their performance to feel accepted and not humiliated.
- Skills deficit – They may not have developed some of their skills yet, or they may be suffering from a learning disorder. Take them to a specialist if the latter seems to be the issue.
- Boredom – Your kid might not be thriving in their school environment. This could be the case if your child is gifted. They will be more interested in academic subjects outside or more advanced than their curriculum.
- Behavioral or psychological problems – ADHD, anxiety, and other mental health issues are also possible reasons. If their behavior and emotions seem to be out of control sometimes, take them to a therapist.
How to Help Them
Spend as much time with your child to find out the real cause of their struggle. Be involved when they do their homework and study for a test. Use daily experiences as teaching opportunities. You don't have to focus solely on academics; practical learning through real-life situations can boost their academic potential, too.
Don't hesitate to ask their teachers for tips if you're unsure. Most importantly, don't just aim for straight A's. It may not come naturally for them and that's okay. As long as you help them become motivated to do their best, they'll naturally feel more confident in school, which will reflect on their grades in time.
