How to Tell if Your Child is Failing in School
As parents, we want the best for our children not just good grades, but confidence, curiosity, and a love for learning. But what happens when your child begins to quietly slip through the cracks?
Sometimes, children don’t outright say they’re struggling. Instead, they show signs emotionally, behaviorally, or academically. The sooner we spot the signals, the faster we can help them turn things around.
Here’s how to tell if your child may be falling behind in school and what you can do about it.
📅 1. Sudden Drop in Grades
This is the most obvious signal. If your child usually performs at a certain level but suddenly scores significantly lower in multiple subjects, it’s time to pay attention.
What to do: Don’t react with anger. Instead, open a conversation: “I noticed your marks dropped this term. Is something bothering you or getting harder?”
🙊 2. Avoiding School-Related Conversations
If your child used to talk freely about school and suddenly goes silent or avoids the topic altogether, it could be a sign they’re feeling overwhelmed or embarrassed.
What to do: Ask open-ended questions. Create a safe space: “What’s one thing you wish was easier at school?”
🙄 3. Frequent Complaints About Teachers or Subjects
Statements like “Math is useless” or “My teacher hates me” could be surface-level frustration making deeper academic challenges.
What to do: Listen without judgment and observe patterns. Is the frustration limited to one subject? Or is it spreading?
🛌 4. Physical Symptoms Before School
Headaches, stomach aches, or nausea before school can sometimes be emotional responses to academic stress or social anxiety.
What to do: Rule out medical issues first. Then explore gently: “Do you feel nervous or uncomfortable about something at school?”
⏳ 5. Procrastination or Loss of Interest in Studying
Does your child avoid homework until the last minute or seem completely uninterested in learning? It might not be laziness it could be a lack of confidence.
What to do: Focus on one small success daily. Use tools like study planners, memory techniques, or guided learning routines to rebuild their confidence step by step.
👨🏫 6. Teacher Feedback or Parent-Teacher Meetings
If a teacher has expressed concern about attention, participation, or assignments, don’t ignore it. Educators are often the first to spot patterns we miss at home.
What to do: Partner with the teacher. Ask for specific examples and suggestions. This creates a support system around your child.
🧠 7. Avoiding Difficult Tasks and Seeking Constant Reassurance
If your child gives up easily when things get tough or keeps asking, “Am I doing it right?” they may be lacking the resilience or confidence to push through academic challenges.
What to do: Encourage effort over outcome. Reinforce that making mistakes is a part of learning. Slowly build their confidence with small, manageable tasks.
📄 8. Incomplete Books and Assignments
Check your child’s notebooks and homework submissions. Are pages left blank? Are assignments missing or only half-done?
What to do: Without scolding, ask: “What made this hard to complete?” Help them break big tasks into smaller chunks and celebrate completion.
🧵 Final Thoughts from Sandhya Bajaj
Set Your Child Up For Success
The first step to your child’s success is for you, their parent, to care. With your support, your child can overcome any struggles they may experience in school. Never hesitate to contact your child’s teacher for help. Working together, you can ensure your child has the best school experience possible.
Your child might not always say “I’m struggling.” But their actions speak louder than words.
At Sandhya Bajaj Academy, we help parents and children rebuild confidence, sharpen focus, and reignite the joy of learning through mindset, memory, and math-based training.
If you’re noticing any of the signs above, don’t wait for the next report card.
At Sandhya Bajaj Academy, we believe every child has a topper within.
What they need is:
- The right mindset
- The right tools
- And the right kind of support from home
- And the right mentor
Coz a mentor can either build their confidence or break their confidence
Let’s raise children who bounce back from failure, not break from it.
Ready to turn low grades into lasting confidence?
Explore our 30-Day Topper Teaser, where we help kids transform their Memory, Mindset, and Math in just 30 minutes a day.
Would you like a structured program on igniting the spark in your child motivating the child to take daily action.
Do feel free to connect today for our Premium Program, Ignite The Topper in Your Child.
📍 Explore our 30-Day Topper Teaser program designed to reset your child’s learning rhythm in just 30 minutes a day.
