Every parent knows the feeling: your child is struggling in school, their grades are slipping, and you’re not sure why. It can be frustrating and overwhelming, and you may feel at a loss for how to help.
The good news is that most struggles come down to five root causes: the 5 C’s. Once you know which one (or more) is at play, you can take practical steps to support your child and help them succeed.
This is when students struggle with understanding the subject material. They may have gaps in foundations or subject knowledge, or find it difficult to understand more advanced concepts.
The Signs:
- Difficulty understanding or applying knowledge
- Struggles to keep up with the teacher in class
- Frustration when new topics build on old ones
The Solution: Pick a topic your child is struggling with now and review both past and present material. Find the exact point where they got stuck, explain the concept in different ways, and provide extra practice until it clicks.
This is when students struggle with organization, time management, and other habits. These challenges often point to underdeveloped executive functioning skills.
The Signs:
- Forgetting assignments or due dates
- Last-minute homework scrambles
- Declining grades despite putting in time and effort
The Solution: Help your child build systems for success. Review assignments together, use a calendar or planner, and set regular times for homework and study until these routines become habits.
This is when students struggle with self-esteem at school. They may have developed a negative association with school or a particular subject and believe their abilities are fixed.
The Signs:
- Refusing to try because they expect to fail
- Negative self-talk such as “I’ll never get this”
- Avoiding homework or class participation
The Solution: Teach your child about having a growth mindset. Normalize mistakes as part of learning, break big tasks into smaller steps, and praise effort and progress instead of perfection.
This is when students lack a sense of purpose at school or “don’t see the point.” They may lack either intrinsic motivation (internal drive) or extrinsic motivation (outside rewards).
The Signs:
- Lack of interest in any subject
- Saying things like “this is pointless”
- Disengagement despite being capable
The Solution: Connect learning to your child’s interests and passions. Show them how schoolwork applies to hobbies, sports, art, or future goals to make learning more meaningful.
Sometimes the reason kids struggle in school isn’t academic at all. Stress, lack of sleep, friendships, or family changes can affect concentration and motivation.
The Signs:
- Personal struggles such as moving or family changes
- Tiredness, irritability, or lack of focus in class
- Health or learning differences
The Solution: Look beyond academics. Make sure your child has healthy routines, rest, and emotional support. If needed, seek additional help from teachers, counselors, or professionals.
This article is just a snapshot of the 5 C’s of School Struggles. Our free parent guide walks you through the signs and solutions in detail so you know exactly how to support your child.
What’s Inside:
- The 5 C’s of school struggles explained
- Signs to help you recognize each struggle early
- Step-by-step solutions tailored to each struggle
- Easy tips you can use at home right away
- Quick checklists you can complete with your child
Give your child the tools, confidence, and support they need to succeed!
Amina Ali
Founder of Abrite
I’ve been a tutor for 10+ years, and I founded Abrite because I believe every student can succeed with the right support. I share practical advice to help families and educators guide kids to grow into their best and brightest selves!