School problems

Sooner or later, they crop up in almost every family: Problems at school. Does your child possibly have difficulties with classmates or poor grades? As a parent, you naturally want to help in this situation. Find out here what you can do to strengthen your child.

Poor grades at school are not nice. Certainly not for your child, because it is a huge blow to their self-esteem. Nor for parents, who are often at a loss. Show your child that you still love them and that your love does not depend on their grades. Look for the causes together and find out how any learning gaps can be closed quickly. Involve your child's teachers, as they can also provide you with valuable support.

If your child has problems with the class test despite a good preparation phase, they may be suffering from test anxiety. This can manifest itself in exam preparation, but also very specifically in the exam situation. For example, in the event of a blackout, your child will suddenly no longer be able to remember the entire subject matter, even if they have studied and understood it. Targeted breathing and relaxation exercises can help. Simulate exam situations at home in preparation for the class test. A good tip is also to tackle the easy tasks first, which calms the nerves. For parents: consciously take the pressure off to perform!

If you suspect something like this, talk to the class teacher or guidance counselor. In some cases, it may also be useful to seek external advice, e.g. from the local school psychological advice center or therapeutic help.

Does your child have a reading/spelling disability (dyslexia) or dyscalculia? Or do you suspect it? Discuss the next steps with your child's school. Your child's teachers can discuss specific support options with you. Special learning aids are often offered at school. And if this is not enough, the school can refer your child to extracurricular services.

Does your child feel unfairly treated by the biology teacher or never get a turn with the math teacher? This can quickly bring motivation down. A clarifying conversation between parents and child with the teacher often helps to clear up misunderstandings.

Is your child a troublemaker in class, refuses to learn or has difficulty attending school regularly? There can be many reasons for conspicuous behavior. Perhaps your child is underchallenged or bored, can't concentrate or is being attacked by classmates? Find out why your child is reacting this way. In addition to talking to teachers, it may be useful to involve the school social worker or the school psychologist. There are not always simple answers to such complex questions. Let your child know that you are there for them.

Is your child being excluded or bullied at school? Whatever the reasons behind it, as parents you should take consistent action. Be sure to involve the school and contact the class teacher or the school's counseling team. Your child needs a lot of attention and support at this time. You can find more information specifically about bullying here.