Why Kids Get Stuck and How to Foster Academic Resilience
Every parent and educator has witnessed it at some point – the frustrating sight of a child getting “stuck” on an assignment or test, unable to move forward. They knew the information, they started strong, and then like a light switch, their brain shut off. While this can be a common occurrence, it’s essential to understand the reasons why kids get stuck and, more importantly, how to empower children with the skills they need to overcome challenges and keep progressing in their academic journey.
Why Kids Get “Stuck” and How to Help Them Break Through:
Problem: Lack of Foundational Skills
One of the primary reasons kids struggle is the absence of foundational cognitive skills. These skills, including memory, attention, processing speed, and reasoning, form the building blocks for effective learning. When any of these skills are underdeveloped, children may find it challenging to grasp new concepts, leading to a sense of being “stuck.”
For example, if they have a working memory weakness, they may begin a task and then, midway through, forget what they were supposed to be doing and not be able to jump back in. If their logic skills are weak, they may hit a roadblock any time the answer is not obvious.
Solution: Cognitive Skill Training
When kids have weak cognitive skills, it impacts every area of their lives. If you notice a pattern of struggling to stay engaged in tasks, a lack of problem-solving skills, or constantly needing hand-holding to get tasks done, it’s important to dig deeper and investigate exactly which skills are the problem. Once you have that answer, you’ll have a clearer picture on how to support your child best.
Problem: Difficulty with Focus and Attention
Children, especially in today’s digital age, can struggle with maintaining focus and attention. Distractions from technology, environmental factors, or internal struggles with concentration can all contribute to a child feeling stuck during tasks that require sustained attention.
Solution: Practice Managing Distractions
Many schools accommodate distractibility by allowing a child to sit in a different place or take a test in a quiet room. However, what’s really going to serve your child best in the long run is learning to manage their attention by tuning out distractions. Make a game of it: see if they can complete a task at home while you’re singing silly songs, walking by them, or talking to them. As they practice tuning out distractions, they’ll be less susceptible to them on assignments as well.
Read More: The difference between accommodations and a root cause approach >>
Problem: Test Anxiety and Fear of Failure
The pressure of tests and assignments can create anxiety in many students. Fear of failure, performance anxiety, and the overwhelming feeling of being judged can hinder a child’s ability to perform at their best. This emotional aspect can be a significant factor in feeling “stuck.”
This happens often for kids who know the answers and have learned the content, but still fail to perform well on tests or assignments. They “freeze” in the face of something stressful or where they feel pressured. They don’t have the tools to process this on their own.
Solution: Work to Create a Growth Mindset
When kids realize it’s their effort, not the outcome, that truly matters, in many cases it can alleviate some of the pressure and anxiety they feel around particular tasks. Remind your child that all they can do is their best—and if they did that, they should be proud.
From another angle, it’s important to dig a little deeper into why they feel afraid of failing and how you can build up their resilience. Having the ability to fail well and learn from mistakes is SO important in life. School is a training ground for practicing this skill!
Problem: Ineffective Learning Strategies
Sometimes, children may lack the necessary study and problem-solving skills. If they haven’t been taught effective learning strategies, they may struggle to navigate assignments or tests, leading to a feeling of being stuck.
They may look at a test or assignment and not know how to start. Or when they hit a problem, they don’t know how to self-advocate for help. Maybe they even struggle with the mechanics of writing a sentence, narrowing down choices in a multiple choice test, or consolidating ideas. Every brain and situation is unique. However, training these learning strategies is important for them to feel like they have the capacity and tools to succeed.
Solution: Train Executive Functioning Skills
This is a network of skills that includes time management, task initiation, flexible thinking, and impulse control. All of these work together to allow us to complete tasks every day. And chances are, your child struggles in one or more of these areas. Click here to read more about the areas of executive functioning and how to strengthen them.
Need Some Help Pinpointing Your Child’s Unique Struggles With Tests, Assignments, or Other Areas of Learning?
Our cognitive skills assessment shines a light on weak skill areas that may be causing your child’s struggles with learning. When you don’t know what these particular areas are for them as individuals, it’s hard to address the struggles efficiently. Click here to contact us today to learn more!
