Clear signs your child might need additional learning support

It can be challenging to know if your child is reaching their full potential in school. Are they struggling in class, or are they not being challenged enough? Understanding what your child needs is often the first and most important step in helping them move forward with confidence.

Based on our experience working with families, our tutors have identified three common signs that a child may benefit from one-to-one learning support.

Gaps in knowledge and a lack of fundamental skills

You may hear from your child’s teacher that they have a good understanding of the concepts being taught in class, but they continue to struggle with applying this knowledge when completing homework and exams.

This is a significant indicator that your child may be missing fundamental skills that are preventing them from progressing as they should. These knowledge gaps often stem from learning issues experienced in previous school years.

This can result from various factors, such as an incompatible teacher or decreased school attendance due to health problems. If these gaps are not addressed, they will affect all future learning. For example, it's impossible to understand differentiation and integration without first mastering the rules of BIDMAS.

Lack of Confidence

When children begin to fall behind, confidence is often one of the first things to suffer. Your teacher might notice your child becoming quieter in class, reluctant to contribute or hesitant to ask questions for fear of getting things wrong.

At home, this can show up as procrastination around homework, avoidance of certain subjects, or a belief that they “can’t do it” before they’ve even begun. Over time, this loss of confidence can become a barrier to learning in its own right.

Lack of Motivation

While many children may not enjoy homework, an extreme lack of motivation can be a sign that your child needs additional support. If they are consistently confused in class, learning can become boring and stressful. You might hear that your child is no longer paying attention in class or is acting out with their teacher.

This behaviour may stem from frustration over falling behind. Conversely, a lack of motivation can also indicate that your child isn’t being adequately challenged. If the material feels too easy and the pace of the class is too slow, they may become bored and disengage.

If you recognise any of these issues in your child, it may be time to seek additional support. In a large classroom setting, it can be difficult for a teacher to tailor lessons to the individual learning pace of each student.

They may also struggle to provide the focused time and attention needed to help your child overcome their confidence and motivation challenges.

A one-on-one tutor can help fill any knowledge gaps, allowing your child to catch up with their peers or provide enrichment on more complex material if they aren’t being adequately challenged at school.

A tutor will dedicate their attention entirely to your child, developing a respectful and trust-based relationship that helps restore confidence and motivation. By providing clear, appropriately paced explanations and allowing ample time for review and questions, a tutor can positively change your child’s attitude toward school and make learning enjoyable again.

At Beatrix Woodhead & Associates, we believe that with the right guidance, every child can thrive academically while developing confidence, independence and a positive relationship with learning.

If you’d like support finding the right tutor for your child, please feel free to get in touch with Beatrix to discuss your situation.