Recognizing Academic Trouble Signs

Without a doubt, some academic problems are easier to spot than others. Perhaps you’ve noticed a change in your child’s demeanor, but you’re unsure what exactly is going on. What are some of the most obvious--and less obvious--red flags that may indicate that your child is having a bigger school problem? Here are several academic trouble signs to watch for:

Trouble sign #1: Your child is acting out. If your child has recently become defiant, angry or frustrated , there may be a direct correlation to something happening at school. Talk with your child and listen without judging. If your child will not talk with you, talk to the teacher about his or her observations and recommendations. Often, as school becomes difficult for a child, his or her self-esteem, confidence and happiness also suffer.

Trouble sign #2: Homework takes longer than it should--or not long enough. If your child takes more time to complete his or her work than seems reasonable, he or she may be experiencing one or more problems. It may be that he or she is not grasping concepts as they are taught in the classroom and therefore cannot do his or her homework independently. It’s possible that your child has difficulty concentrating. On the other end of the spectrum, if your child zips through homework too quickly, skipping problems and failing to check his or her work, he or she may not understand the purpose--and importance--of homework.

Trouble sign #3: Your child struggles with reading. Reading trouble signs can vary and some are more noticeable. If you observe your child struggling to pronounce words correctly (or sound them out) or having similar issues, or if you see your child frequently skipping or guessing at words he or she does not know, talk with the teacher right away. Together, you can determine how to prevent your child from falling behind as reading becomes more challenging--and a bigger part of all assignments.

Trouble sign #4: Your child’s work is sloppy. Most children need to constantly work on organization, so don’t panic if your child’s backpack or desk isn’t as neat as it could be. However, if your child’s work is consistently messy or unreadable, this may indicate a lack of attention to detail that should be corrected sooner rather than later. Similarly, extreme disorganization to the point that a student cannot keep track of important assignments or homework is a bigger sign of problems to come.

Trouble sign #5: Your child procrastinates. Some students are chronic procrastinators while others procrastinate when they dread the work ahead of them. If your child almost always puts off studying or homework until the last minute, start paying attention to the reasons. Is he or she avoiding doing so because the work is overly difficult? Does he or she only procrastinate with a particular subject?

As a parent, it is important to take notice of potential signs of school trouble so that you can promptly address any issues if needed. Stay alert for the warning signs, but also remember to maintain good communication with your child to encourage him or her to turn to you should things become difficult--in any area of his or her life. Let your child know that you are there for support and help if he or she needs it, and that no problem is too big to overcome.