What to do if Your Child is Performing Poorly at School

We all want our children to do well in school; however there may be times when they fall behind on their work. This is common and not usually a cause for concern, but it is important to identify the issue as soon as possible.

It could be something as simple as a lack of motivation or trouble with a particular topic; however the issue could be caused by something more serious such as bullying or an undiagnosed learning difficulty.

If your child is performing poorly at school, the sooner you can help them, the better. Here are some helpful tips and advice from Surbiton High to help you identify the issue and turn things around…

The first step is to talk to your child and try to get to the bottom of the issue. Communication is key, so take time out to speak to your child calmly about how they are feeling about school. Do they have concerns about certain subjects or tasks, or are there any issues with friends or teachers? Let them know that they can trust you and that you want to help them.

It is also wise to speak to your child’s teachers. If there is a problem the teachers may have noticed it too. Teachers will be able to provide a helpful insight into your child’s school life and their school work. They will also be able to offer advice and support, allowing you to work together to tackle the issue. 

Help your child with their school work at home. Make it part of your everyday routine and if possible try to create dedicated space for your child to study, that is not only quiet and comfortable, but also feels special and personal to them. Let them choose how they organise and decorate this new study area.

Make sure your child knows how proud you are of their efforts and how much you love them. Praise them when they try hard, as this will motivate them in the future.

If you receive a bad school report, try not to show your disappointment through anger and frustration. Instead it is important to highlight the areas they have done well in and discuss where they think they could have done better.