What to Do When Your Child Is Struggling at School

Andy Li
Nov 19, 2025
3 min read

Andy Li, 19/11/2025

Seeing your child struggle at school can be worrying. The good news: There are many actions you can take, depending on the root cause. Here are some strategies (some common, some you might not have considered) grouped by the possible reasons for their difficulties.

1. Learning or Neurodiversity Challenges

Some children struggle because of undiagnosed learning needs (e.g., dyslexia, ADHD, processing difficulties).

Communicate with school staff: Ask their teacher for insights on where your child is having difficulties, and whether there’s already support in place (learning support, IEP, etc.).
Understand their learning style: Help your child learn about how they learn best. For example, break tasks into smaller steps, teach planning and checking work. The Victorian government recommends helping children plan, reflect, and build confidence. Victorian Government
Provide emotional support: Kids with learning differences may feel frustrated or “not smart enough.” Encourage positive self-talk, praise their strengths, and remind them that everyone learns differently. Victorian Government
Seek specialist help: Consider formal assessments through a psychologist, or involve the school’s learning support team. If needed, engaging a tutor who is experienced in working with learning difficulties can make a big difference.

2. Bullying or Social-Emotional Issues

Sometimes academic struggles are symptoms of broader emotional or social stressors.

Listen and get the facts: If your child hints or states they have been bullied, remain calm, ask open-ended questions, and write down details. The Australian Institute of Family Studies emphasises managing your reaction and gathering information first. Australian Institute of Family Studies
Work with the school: Arrange a meeting with relevant school staff (teacher, wellbeing coordinator, principal) to discuss concrete steps (e.g., increased supervision, conflict resolution, safety plan). NSW Education
Talk to a professional: Bullying can have serious mental health consequences. A counsellor or psychologist can help your child process their feelings, build resilience, and develop coping strategies. Australian Institute of Family Studies
Know your legal rights: In some places, schools have a “duty of care” to prevent bullying. If things don’t improve, you may consider making a formal complaint or seeking advice. Note: this isn’t about litigation first—just making sure your child is safe.
Adelaide Now

3. Poor Study Habits or Lack of Structure

Sometimes the issue isn’t a disability or external stress, but simply that your child doesn’t have effective study skills or routines.

Set a consistent routine: Establishing a regular study schedule (with breaks), a quiet workspace, and clear time boundaries for homework helps. The NSW Department of Education suggests using a “study bank” or timetable for older students. NSW Education
Break tasks down: Large homework or project tasks can feel overwhelming. Help your child divide them into digestible chunks. Evidence shows breaking tasks into smaller, manageable steps improves motivation and engagement. School News
Encourage independence: Rather than doing the work for them, ask your child to explain what they’re doing, where they feel stuck, and let them correct errors. This builds resilience and self-regulation. NSW Education
Consider a homework coach: A homework coach (specialised tutor) helps students build executive functioning skills—organisation, time management, planning—not just subject content.

4. Health or Developmental Factors

Physical or mental health issues may underlie academic struggles, even if they aren’t obvious.

Check their health: Sometimes learning problems are exacerbated by vision or hearing issues. A visit to a pediatrician or optometrist can rule out physical barriers to learning. Children's Minnesota
Monitor emotional wellbeing: As the Child Mind Institute notes, behavioural changes (meltdowns, withdrawal, defiance) can signal anxiety, frustration, or difficulty regulating emotions. Child Mind Institute
Teach frustration tolerance: Help your child develop coping strategies for when tasks are hard. This might be breathing techniques, talking through mistakes, or setting small achievable goals. Child Mind Institute

5. Practical Tips for All Situations

Regardless of the root cause, there are some universal steps parents can take to support their child.

Open communication: Check in regularly about school. This shouldn't just be about their grades, but feelings, friendships, and worries. Children's Minnesota
Partner with the school: Be proactive. Reach out to teachers, attend parent-teacher interviews, and express your willingness to be part of the solution. KOTC
Celebrate small wins: Recognise effort, not just results. Positive reinforcement helps build confidence. Teachers using behaviour management strategies often find praising small successes very effective. School News
Model learning: Show that learning is lifelong. Read with your child, reflect on your work or problem-solving, and treat mistakes as growth opportunities.

Final Thoughts

If your child is struggling, it often isn’t about one single thing. Try to understand the root reasons first, then match the support accordingly. Some children benefit from emotional support; others need structure; others might need assessment or specialist help.

Over time, with consistent effort and the right strategies, many children improve significantly.