Since the COVID-19 pandemic, parents and carers have been more aware of the risks that their child is falling behind at school. So many children missed out on so much education and unfortunately record numbers are not hitting the ‘expected’ markers for their age and year group.
Don’t Panic
If you think your child falls into this category, the first thing to remember is, don’t panic. There are many reasons why a child may fail to hit the expected markers, and there are a great many children who don’t hit these markers for the first few years at school before naturally catching up with their peers. However, if you think your child is truly struggling, without receiving adequate support in class, you do need to act before this gap widens.
Speak With Their Teacher
The first thing to do is contact your child’s teacher. Ask for a face-to-face meeting but let them know beforehand that it is to discuss your child’s academic progress. This will allow the teacher to bring any relevant resources and evidence, such as recent tests, classwork and support they may be receiving. Let the teacher explain their perspective of your child’s achievements in school, and enquire about support procedures in place.
Support At Home
Secondly, investigate what you can do at home to bolster your child’s confidence and understanding. Whether you ask their teacher or research online, there are always tools and tips available. Don’t forget to ask your child how they feel about their learning – they may surprise you by self-identifying some of the areas they find tricky. This will enable you to start a conversation with them about how you will be helping them feel better about this subject.