Why has your child stopped doing well at school, what can you do about it, and how to respond appropriately as parents? This is an issue that usually affects the whole family and requires a sensitive, systematic, and calm approach.
We all want our child to be successful, especially at school. When school performance suddenly worsens, it can signal problems. It is important to realize that declining grades are far from just the result of a child's carelessness or laziness. Very often the problem has deeper causes that may be pedagogical, psychological, or even medical and social in nature.
How to recognize a decline in grades?
A drop in school performance rarely appears completely suddenly. It is often a gradual process that begins with subtle signals. If you catch these signs early, you can prevent a more serious decline. A child may, for example, start avoiding homework, complain about school, express lack of motivation, or even refuse to attend school altogether. The first step is therefore to carefully observe the child's behavior and reactions.
Another signal can be a sudden change in communication. If the child used to talk openly about school and is now suddenly more withdrawn or irritable, that is a sign. This change may be related to new demands, unresolved relationships in the class, new staff, classmates, or disappointment after failure.
When you notice changes, first try to start a conversation with your child. Alternatively, ask the class teacher. Teachers who spend a lot of time with the child can often identify a problem earlier than parents. They may point you to specific subjects, curriculum topics, or even particular relationship dynamics in the class.
The most common causes of declining grades
Many parents think that a drop in grades is due to a child's laziness or resistance to learning, but the reality is often much more complex. Common causes include in particular:
- Increased academic demands: Changing schools, transitioning to a higher grade level or to secondary school are common causes of a drop in performance.
- Peer problems and bullying: If a child does not feel safe and comfortable in class, it can significantly affect their ability to learn.
- Specific learning disorders: Dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, and other learning difficulties often lead to frustration in a child who, despite great effort, cannot keep up with peers.
- Health and psychological causes: Depression, anxiety, attention difficulties (ADHD), chronic health issues, as well as family problems - all of these influence a child's performance at school.
How to communicate with your child and the school?
When looking for solutions, communication is key. We should talk to the child openly and without reproach, showing that we are trying to help. A useful tip is to start the conversation on a positive note. Ask what they enjoyed in the past and what they would need to do better. Definitely avoid blame or shouting, as that can further complicate solving the problem.
Arrange a meeting with the class teacher or the school counselor. Try to find out, how they see the situation and what recommendations they have. Do not hesitate to seek external help, whether it is tutoring, an educational psychology counseling center, or other professionals who can help you and your child overcome the difficulties more effectively.
Practical tips to help your child improve their grades
You can help your child primarily by creating a calm study environment at home. Establish a daily study routine with clear boundaries. Joint preparation is also important - go through the timetable, supplies, textbooks, notebooks and homework, test dates, and help them plan their studying.
If the decline in grades is caused by a specific learning disorder, do not delay seeing a specialist - the sooner you involve an expert, the better for the child.
If your child's grades have dropped, do not panic. Increasing pressure and emotions only complicates the situation. Try to calmly focus on understanding the causes and help your child gradually.