We all know that children learn at different rates, but as a parent, you have a sixth sense when something is wrong with your child. Perhaps they complain about going to school, or maybe their teachers have commented about them falling behind in class? First of all, don’t worry and most importantly, don’t blame yourself.
More often than not, pinpointing a few issues your child could be experiencing could make the world of difference to their education. If your child is falling behind at school, take a look at these reasons why so you can get to the root of the problem.
Bullying
Bullying is still a major problem in schools all around the world. While your child’s school may have a zero tolerance policy on bullying, your child may not feel like they can speak out about what’s happening at school. Talk to them about their friends, what they do at playtime, and look out for signs like flinching or a loss of confidence. Their teacher will also be able to tell you how they play with other children to give you some idea whether your child may be a victim of bullying. If you find they are, get to the bottom of it as soon as possible so you child can regain confidence and concentrate in class without having to worry about being bullied in the playground.
Hearing Loss
Hearing loss, even only slightly can affect your child’s education. You may not have noticed any difference at home because you communicate with your child directly, but if your child is falling behind at school, it may be because they simply can’t hear the teacher. Your GP will be able to advise you further, but if you’re worried this could be a real problem, schedule an appointment with an audiologist as soon as possible to test your child’s hearing. If they do have hearing loss, it can easily be treated with hearing aids and accessories for their teacher to wear.
Eyesight Problems
Much like hearing problems, eyesight issues could also be a reason why your child is falling behind at school. Even if your child isn’t showing any symptoms of eyesight problems, it’s important to have their eyes checked on a regular basis to ensure no problems have arisen. Book them an appointment with an optician to have their eyes tested. Having glasses may make the world of difference to their education!
Undiagnosed Learning Disability
Finally, sometimes learning disabilities like ADHD and ASD can go unnoticed in early years for children, especially because children learn at different rates. Your child’s teacher will be able to tell you if they feel your child may have an undiagnosed learning disability. Your GP can refer you to the right team for diagnosis, but it can be a lengthy process. If you feel your child may have an undiagnosed learning disability, start the process as soon as possible so your child’s school can make the necessary changes to help promote your child’s learning.
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