If you are concerned that your child is falling behind at school, it is important to intervene early.

One of the most costly mistakes a parent can make in their child’s education, is to delay dealing with any potential problems. The NSW school curriculum is delivered via learning progressions, therefore falling too far behind can affect your child’s entire education.

Learning is foundational and, like building a home, if you do not build on the proper underpinnings the whole house could collapse.

‘Check in’ the moment they ‘check out’

It is hard to provide a complete checklist of warning signs that a child is falling behind, as every child is different. However, teachers commonly identify struggling children as the ones who withdraw from some or all subject areas.

Examples of this may include assignments not being attempted, class exercises left incomplete and homework largely ignored. A child may also misbehave to distract attention away from their learning difficulties.

A teacher helps a primary school student with her school work. Photo: Kitty Beale

Ask about their day

One of the best ways parents can determine their child’s weak subjects is to ask them about their day. If they are happy to talk about English and history in detail but refuse to discuss maths, then this may flag problems in that subject area.

This is the time for parents, in consultation with their school, to assess their child’s engagement and to see if they have developed the necessary skills, knowledge and understanding to progress in the subject.

Clean and routine

Another key factor that may assist a student to maintain their academic performance is a clean environment and a structured routine. Routines can also play a part in helping anxious children cope with …