5 Signs Your Child Could Benefit from Additional Educational Support
EZ-Teach understands that parents naturally worry about their children’s development, and many concerns resolve on their own over time. However, when issues like academic struggles, noticeable behavioural changes, or difficulties completing tasks at home persist, they may signal a need for more help. Let’s explore five key signs that your child could benefit from additional educational support and the practical tips and strategies to address them.
1) Declining Grades or Consistently Poor Performance
2) Avoidance of Homework or Schoolwork
3) Difficulty Managing Time or Staying Organized
4) Behavioral Changes or Low Motivation
5) Frequent Teacher or Parent Feedback About Struggles
Click on the links above to learn more. If you think your child needs extra educational assistance, it might be time to contact a tutor or even a specialist to see if there are underlying issues that need to be addressed. For tutoring or other assistance, please contact us at EZ-Teach.
While the video above is comprehensive, keep reading to learn about some of the signals that your child needs additional educational support.
5 Signs It’s Time For Additional Educational Support
1) Declining Grades or Consistently Poor Performance
If a child’s grades are slipping despite their effort, or if they consistently struggle in one or more subjects, it may indicate they need extra help understanding the material. Clues that your child may need additional educational support include the following:
Parental Intuition: Parents often notice when their child seems to be struggling or falling behind compared to peers. Learn why you should trust your intuition.
Teacher Feedback: A teacher may express concern about a child's performance, participation, or focus in class.
Report Cards or Test Results: A sudden drop in grades or poor performance on standardized tests can trigger attention.
Tips & Strategies
First, identify the problem areas. Speak with the teacher to pinpoint where the child is struggling—specific subjects, concepts, or skills.
Next, use supplemental resources. Consider online tools like Khan Academy, YouTube educational channels, or workbooks to reinforce concepts. Or, if you child struggles with test-taking, consider our FREE Test-Taking Strategies Tips PDF.
Third, consider tutoring. Enroll the child in a tutoring program (online or in-person) for targeted help.
One sign your child is struggling is avoidance of work or becoming easily and overly frustrated.
(Image Source: Mikhail Nilov)
2) Avoidance of Homework or Schoolwork
A child who frequently avoids homework, rushes through it or becomes overly frustrated may lack the confidence or skills needed to complete assignments effectively.
Another clue that your child is having difficulty is a loss of interest at school. A noticeable lack of enthusiasm for school, learning, or specific subjects may prompt parents to investigate.
Tips & Strategies
Here are some steps to take to help your child if they are avoiding tasks or demonstrating a loss of interest in education:
Create a Routine: Set a consistent time and quiet space for homework to build a sense of structure.
Break Down Tasks: Help your child divide homework into smaller, more manageable steps to avoid feeling overwhelmed.
Incorporate Rewards: Offer small rewards for completing homework to make it more motivating (e.g., extra screen time or a favourite activity).
Sometimes kids just need a bit of guidance in creating routines that work for them and setting manageable goals so they feel at ease and equipped to tackle challenges. Maybe as a parent, you also need help creating routines - download our FREE homeschool planner that includes all sorts of materials to help you and your family set goals and get into healthy routines and schedules.
Model how to develop organizational and time-management skills by using of our FREE planner!
3) Difficulty Managing Time or Staying Organized
Poor time management skills, forgetting assignments, or losing track of materials can signal the need for help developing better organizational habits. As we hinted at earlier, sometimes all it takes is for the adults in a child’s life to model how to develop organizational habits (instead of doing it all for them!). Let’s look at some strategies to tackle this issue.
Tips & Strategies
Teach Time Management Skills: Use a planner or visual calendar to track assignments and deadlines.
Encourage the Use of Checklists: Create daily or weekly to-do lists to help them stay on task.
Help Organize Materials: Label folders, use colour-coded notebooks, and periodically schedule time for you both to clean backpacks and workspaces.
Though it depends on age, it is important that your children take an active part in learning organizational skills and time management. It is tempting to do everything for a child, but they need to be given age-appropriate tasks so they can learn how to independently manage their responsibilities.
Behavioural changes, frustration, disinterest, and anxiety are all possible signs of difficulty.
(Image Source: Vika Glitter)
4) Behavioral Changes or Low Motivation
If a child seems uninterested in school, shows signs of frustration, or becomes anxious about tests or assignments (Remember, you can download our FREE Test-Taking Strategies Tips PDF), they may benefit from personalized support to rebuild their confidence and interest.
Tips & Strategies
Try these strategies when offering additional educational support:
Boost Confidence: Praise their efforts, not just the results. Celebrate small victories to build self-esteem.
Find Their Interests: Connect school topics to hobbies or real-world examples to make learning more engaging (e.g., using sports stats for math or cooking for science).
Provide Emotional Support: Talk openly about their feelings regarding school to address anxiety or frustration.
Please note that behavioural changes in children can sometimes indicate more serious underlying issues beyond the need for academic support. While occasional mood swings or frustration are normal, persistent or significant behavioural changes could point to deeper concerns, such as:
If you notice serious behavioural changes, talk to your child to understand their feelings and experiences. You can also collaborate with teachers as they may notice patterns in the classroom that can provide insights. If concerns persist, consult a pediatrician, counsellor, or psychologist for a thorough evaluation. And be sure to provide a supportive environment at home, balancing structure and compassion.
If you see signs your child is struggling, be sure to keep in regular contact with their teachers who have insight into their daily activities and behaviours at school.
(Image Source: Max Fischer)
5) Frequent Teacher or Parent Feedback About Struggles
Regular concerns from teachers or parents about focus, attention, or understanding of concepts can point to underlying challenges that require additional educational assistance. Here are some tips and strategies to address this.
Tips & Strategies
Maintain Communication: Stay in regular contact with teachers for updates on progress and specific suggestions.
Explore School Resources: Look into extra support offered at school, like resource rooms, special education services, or peer tutoring.
Hire Professional Help: If needed, consult an educational psychologist for an assessment to identify learning challenges (e.g., ADHD, dyslexia) and strategies to address them.
Depending on the issues, and possibly as a first step to seeking additional educational support, you can also provide your child with tutoring. Remember not to panic. Just take appropriate steps as needed to help you and your child overcome challenges. You got this!
Find Additional Educational Support
From EZ-Teach
Sometimes we need a little help from others. EZ-Teach is here to help educators and students with the following:
If you wish to speak with someone, we’d be happy to chat. We can direct you to additional educational support and resources - or help you find what you are looking for. Contact us at EZ-Teach.
