How is the New School Year Going So Far? Warning Signs of Student Academic and Social Challenges

 School is back in session. Your child has completed the first quarter or first few months of the new school year. How is it going? Some children/adolescents are forthcoming about their feelings and emotions. Others are more closed off. So, if our kids don’t tell us what’s going on, how can we know? One simple phrase: All behavior is communication. When a student is having trouble in school, it usually shows in their behavior. Understand that your child may not be aware of a problem or know how to cope with it on their own.  What can you do as a parent? It is important to know the warning signs for when things are not going well.
Students are unique, but they all demonstrate common behaviors when feeling uncomfortable or stressed. The behaviors may be subtle, but fluctuations in the following behaviors can indicate unease with academic performance, social experiences or the learning environment in general. Take a look at your child’s experiences and behaviors in the areas of attitude toward school/peers/learning, confidence, grades, homework comprehension and completion, peer relationships, as well as the presence or lack of determination/motivation. Negative changes in these areas may be a sign that your child is experiencing difficulty that you are not yet aware of, either because they are not aware or because they have not shared this challenge with you. The sooner you acknowledge the struggle, the sooner you can assist with implementing helpful interventions.
If your child’s difficulties continue along without addressing them, those challenges can escalate into more permanent changes in behavior that can be damaging to future academic and social success. However, when warning signs are detected early, they can empower healthy, effective change that will positively impact every area of your child’s life. If your child’s school has an online grade system, log on! Remember; keep positive, open communication with your child to monitor how things are going. If you notice your child experiencing problems, don’t wait for the next report card. Reach out to your child’s teacher so you can all work on interventions as a team.
If you would like more information on ways to address school challenges, please contact the offices of Dynamic Interventions, Inc. at 661-257-1254 or on the web at www.dynamicinterventions.com.