Is My Child’s Learning Struggle because of the Subject, the Curriculum, the Teacher, or the Brain?

When a child has a learning struggle, it can be daunting to figure out what you can do to help them overcome it. Learning challenges have far-reaching impacts beyond just grades: learning struggles also affect confidence, self-esteem, motivation, and many other areas of life. 

So what can you do?

The first step is to dig deeper…

Getting to the Root Cause of a Learning Struggle: Why It Matters

Every child’s learning journey is unique, and when a student faces challenges, it can be perplexing for both parents and educators. Is the difficulty rooted in the subject matter, the curriculum, the teacher, or could it be a matter of brain function? Understanding the underlying cause is crucial for developing effective strategies to support a child’s academic success.

Here are a few of the biggest things to watch for that indicate the following root causes are the reasons for your child’s struggles:

Signs that the issue is with the subject:

• Consistent Disinterest: If a child consistently shows disinterest or lack of engagement in a particular subject, it could indicate that the subject matter doesn’t resonate with their learning style or interests. This disengagement might lead to lower motivation and performance.

• Struggling with Fundamental Concepts: Difficulty grasping fundamental concepts within a subject may suggest that the child is facing challenges specific to that area of study. Identifying these struggles early on can help tailor interventions to address the specific gaps in knowledge.

• Inconsistency Across Subjects: If the learning difficulty is isolated to a particular subject, and the child performs well in other areas, it’s a strong indicator that the issue is subject-specific rather than a more general learning challenge.

Signs that the learning struggle is connected to the curriculum or content:

• Misalignment with Learning Style: Every child has a preferred learning style, and if the curriculum or teaching methods do not align with their preferred way of learning, it can impede comprehension and retention. Look for signs of frustration or boredom that may stem from a mismatch between the curriculum and the child’s learning preferences.

What you may believe about learning styles is likely not the true picture of what’s going on. Learning style preferences are actually rooted in cognitive weaknesses. Learn more here.

• Lack of Real-World Application: If a curriculum lacks real-world application or relevance, students may struggle to connect theoretical concepts to practical scenarios. This can hinder their ability to see the value in what they are learning, leading to disengagement.

• Inadequate Challenge: On the other hand, if the curriculum is not challenging enough, students may become bored and disinterested. A lack of intellectual stimulation can hinder cognitive development and limit a child’s growth.

Signs that the learning struggle is due to a teacher or teaching method:

• Consistent Miscommunication: If a child constantly misunderstands instructions or struggles to follow the teacher’s explanations, it may be an indication that the teaching method is not effectively reaching the student. Effective communication between teacher and student is crucial for successful learning.

• Negative Teacher-Student Relationship: A strained relationship between the teacher and student can significantly impact the learning experience. It’s important to address signs of discomfort, fear, or avoidance in the presence of a specific teacher to create a more conducive learning environment.

• Lack of Adaptability: Successful teaching requires adaptability to diverse learning styles. If a teacher employs a one-size-fits-all approach, it may not cater to the individual needs of each student, leading to learning difficulties for some.

Signs that weak brain skills are the root of the problem:

• Struggling Across Subjects: If a child consistently struggles across various subjects despite efforts to address subject-specific challenges, it may be an indication of underlying weak cognitive skills. These skills, including memory, attention, and processing speed, form the foundation for successful learning.

• Difficulty in Organization and Planning: Weak executive function skills, such as organization, time management, and planning, can significantly impact a child’s ability to complete assignments and stay on top of coursework.

• Persistent Learning Plateaus: If a child reaches a learning plateau and struggles to progress despite adequate effort, it may signal weak cognitive skills. These foundational skills are essential for building on new knowledge and adapting to more complex concepts.

How Can You Be Sure About the Root Cause of Your Child’s Learning Struggle?

This list is just a beginning assessment to take stock of exactly where your child’s learning struggles stem from. There are infinite possibilities because every brain is unique. The challenge is that if you intervene by changing curriculum when weak cognitive skills are the real root cause, you’re just delaying getting your child the support they really need.

You can have definitive answers about how your child’s brain thinks, learns, and functions in as little as an hour with a cognitive skills assessment.

The answers this test gives you will help guide you on your journey to giving your child the best chance at learning successfully. Many parents walk away from the results consultation with light bulb moments that shed SO much light on the struggles they’ve been walking through for months (or even years).

Click here to schedule your cognitive skills assessment today!