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Tag: Learning

8 Behavioral Cues That May Indicate Your Child Needs Help

As a boy growing up in Canada, all I ever wanted to do was play hockey. I never gave things like jobs and careers much thought, I never figured out what I wanted to be when I “grew up”, and I certainly did not purposefully set out to become a teacher.

I struggled in school, especially math, and never seemed to find my way. I rarely did my homework, and studying was like a foreign concept. That being said, there was one aspect of school I did love, and that was writing. I was even entered into a Young Writer’s Conference in Grade 5 with some influential Canadian authors, but unfortunately some rather poor experiences in high school English, with a rather unsupportive teacher, extinguished my desire to write. Needless to say, had you asked me at the end of high school if I would become a teacher, you probably would have been laughed at. Despite my own struggles with academics growing up, I have been an educator for the past eleven years or so, in four countries, and have loved every minute of it. 

if there is something that teaching in four countries, with four different curriculums has taught me; it is that they are all pretty much the same. Apart from subtle little differences, Math is Math, and English is English.

Some children excel in school and some children struggle. There is no one perfect curriculum that caters to the specific educational needs of each and every child, and inevitably, there will come a time when all parents, will be faced with the same questions: How do I know if my child is doing well, and how will I know if my child needs help?

While no two children have the same needs, if you recognize any of the following behavioral cues in your child it may be time to reach out for help. 

1. Homework Blues:

Homework is an important part of a child’s education. It is meant to consolidate learning that occurs in the classroom, encourages independent learning, time management, and a host of other factors. However, if homework struggles have become a nightly ritual, and if tantrums, a poor attitude, procrastination, screaming, and kicking all sound familiar, then this may be your child’s way of asking for help.

2. Avoiding School:

This one is classic.“Moooom. I don’t feel well. I don’t want to go to school today. Cough. Cough.” Let’s be honest – we all tried this at one point or another, usually with a very low success rate. Generally speaking, it is usually very obvious when a child is too ill to attend school, and while it is perfectly normal for most children to want the odd day off, if this type of behavior starts to happen on a regular basis, it could be a warning.

3. Lacks Motivation Or Carelessness:

Everyone can relate to this one. There are times in life when you really don’t want to complete a task, you don’t put forth very much effort, and simply do the minimum to get by. However, children typically have a natural tendency to want to please the adults in their life, whether parent or teacher. If your child is regularly unmotivated by school and shows no interest whatsoever, it’s time to find out why. There is always a reason. Perhaps they are not being challenged enough, or perhaps the work is too challenging. Either scenario can manifest in disinterest and a child who is unmotivated by school. 

4. Poor Grades/Test Results:

Tests are no fun. Ever. It doesn’t matter how old you are, or when you take them. And while I usually caution about reading too much into test scores, like it or not, they are an important part of every child’s education, and when used in the right ways, they can also be an accurate indication of how well your child is progressing at school. If their test scores are consistently low, or do not seem to be in line with their normal school achievement, then it could be time to find out why.

5. Suffers From Low Self-Esteem Or Anxiety:

Anxiety can be quite natural at times. However, the type of anxiety I am talking about here is extreme. Does your child seem stressed out, become physically ill, extremely fearful, or worry constantly about schoolwork?This type of behavior can be worrisome in children, and if left unchecked, can present as low self-esteem; severely limiting confidence and the ability to succeed academically.

6. Dishonesty:

If engaged and interested in school, most children will want to talk about the exciting things they have been learning. There is nothing quite like a child who has learned something new and had a “light bulb moment”. They want to share their newfound knowledge with anyone who will listen. Consider the alternative for a moment.

How often have you heard these lines?

Parent: “What did you learn at school today?” Child: “Nothing.”

“Do you have any homework tonight?” “No.”

“Do you have any studying to do?”“No.”

This will resonate to anyone who has teenagers in the house. However, if you are consistently hearing these responses from your child it should be a red flag, especially for children in upper grades.

7. Poor Time Management Skills Or Independence:

A very important skill, that a lot of schools and curriculums are trying to instill, is for children to be independent learners and take ownership of their education. Try telling this to a ten year old who just wants to play video games or watch television. But, if it seems that homework takes way too long to complete, there is non-stop nagging to get it completed, or always finding out about assignments at the last minute, then your child could benefit from receiving some extra help.

8. Hopelessness:

Have you or your child given up hope completely? Does it seem like you have tried every possible solution, but nothing seems to work?Unfortunately, this is a very common occurrence in a lot of households.  Most parents are very supportive of their children. They try helping with homework, only to be met with tears, tantrums, and resistance. Parents try showing alternative methods for solving problems, only to be told, “My teacher won’t let us do it that way.”

If it seems that all you are doing is pulling out your hair and nothing works, then it may be time to seek outside help to get your child (and your own sanity) back on track.

Before I wrap this up, let me tell you one last short story. I remember trying to learn my times tables as a child. I vividly recall my mother making flashcards and setting the timer on the microwave. Ten minutes practice after dinner, every night. What I remember next is not the actual practice, and not even the fact that I eventually managed to learn my times tables. No, I remember the floods of tears that accompanied that practice each and every night.

Why is this important you may ask? Well, as an adult who is getting closer and closer to his fourth decade, I can tell you that I still remember those struggles growing up. They are ingrained into my memory, and something I constantly assess as a teacher. My goal as a teacher has always been to make sure every student I come across has a better time in school than I did, and looks back at their time with fonder memories than I do.

I am not naïve enough to think that children under my tutelage have never struggled with any of the issues above, in fact quite the contrary, I’m sure many of them have. The simple point I am trying to make, is that if you wonder about any of the behavioral cues or signs above, then ask for help. You are not alone. Your child’s teacher can provide a wealth of knowledge and insight into the fascinating little creature that is your son or daughter. Alternatively, hiring the services of a professional in-home tutor can pay for itself over and over again, by addressing all these needs and more.


Nourishing Minds Tutoring has been the leader in private tutoring in the Capital Region for over 9 years.
We offer qualified, reliable, and knowledgeable tutors who are expert teachers. We take the time to develop a rapport with each student to enable them to reach their fullest academic potential. Simply put, we believe that it is our job to make learning happen.

If you are in need of academic support of any kind, please contact us for a free consultation. Our services range from Pre-K through College, including special needs, test preparation, and homeschooling support. We offer competitive rates and referral programs in which you can earn free tutoring. You can get in touch with us by visiting our website https://nourishingmindstutoring.com/

Back-To-School Tips: For the Parents!

Summer is coming to a close and memories of bike rides, ice cream cones, vacations, camp, and swimming pools are becoming a distant memory. A new school year is among us and many families are faced with the daunting task of transitioning children from summertime fun to the rigors and struggles of going back to school. Children often have a hard time adjusting to the first few days of school, longing for the freedom that summer provides and feeling nervous about starting a new grade or new school.  Here are our best tips for parents to help ease this transition and make it a successful one! 

1. Encourage Reading

Reading is the foundation of all learning, and will assist development in every subject. Model reading and help develop good reading habits. If your child sees that you value reading, then they are more likely to read themselves. Be sure to discuss what your child is reading, and ask questions to develop comprehension skills. Find books or topics that your child is interested in, and read a little bit everyday. Constantly provide new and exciting books and make sure to utilize your local library! Weekly trips to the library can be an exciting time and a great alternative to technology! The bottom line is…read, read, read! And don’t forget the value of reading aloud to your children! 

2. Talk With Your Children

Speaking and listening plays an important role in school success. Hearing parents talk and responding to talk helps build crucial language skills children need to do well. Try this simple technique. Make dinner time a TV free, computer & tablet, cell phone, and technology free time. Life is getting busier and busier all the time, but take this time to sit down at the dinner table and talk about your day. Set the ground rule that everyone must contribute one interesting aspect of his or her day. Talk to each other and listen to each other. The outcome of this simple activity can have astounding results on a child’s speaking and listening skills. 

3. Daily Math Practice

Make math fun. Cooking, gardening, paying bills, shopping, etc. are all good ways to practice math. Ask your children simple questions to develop money sense. For example, next time you are at the store ask your children how much change you will get if you purchase your items with a $20 bill. Better yet, give them the money and ask them to pay the bill. Ask them to count the change to ensure that it is correct. Teach children about the value of math and try to point out all of the ways it is used in the world. One big aspect of the Common Core is to make math practical. Also, don’t forget about basic facts practice. Times tables practice is especially important for children!

4. Monitor TV & Computer Use

Technology can be a very valuable resource for learning. However, too much can be a detriment. Encourage your children to read, play outside, play a game, etc. and they will learn valuable language skills and social skills. Most importantly, set boundaries and always monitor your child’s technology usage to ensure safe, high quality content that will foster learning, rather than hinder it. 

5. Encourage Independence

Whenever possible, let your child figure things out for themselves. Let them know that making mistakes is ok! Mistakes are how we learn. Have them think problems through carefully before asking for/receiving help. The ability to become independent learners is a skill that will serve your children well for their entire lives. 

6. High Expectations

Always set high expectations for your children, and never falter from them.  Parental expectations play a very important role in the academic success of your child. Expect your child to do well and your expectations will be met! 

7. Learning Environment

Homework and schoolwork can be a stressful and challenging time in any family. Provide your child with a suitable learning environment to complete schoolwork. This includes school supplies (pens, pencils, paper, ruler, calculator, etc.) and most importantly, a quiet place to work, which is free from distractions. 

8. Consistency & Routine

Children thrive when they know what to expect. Try setting a schedule or time aside everyday (it is often best if it is the same time) to practice schoolwork. Keep it brief. 15 to 20 minutes works best. Perhaps try 15 minutes of math practice before dinner and 15 minutes silent reading before bed. This can be an especially important strategy when fighting the homework battle. Try to develop routines for completing homework and stick to them. When possible, set the expectation that homework must be completed before the night before it is due. 

9. Praise & Compliment 

Constantly look for ways that you can tell your child how well they are doing, how impressed you are with their work, etc. This will build their self-esteem, make them feel great about themselves, and translate into an even better effort into their schoolwork. The only caveat, make sure the work is truly good quality. You want your children to take pride in completing their work to the best of their ability and have a sense of pride in a job well done. 

10. Have Patience & Don’t be Afraid to Ask for Help

At times learning can be confusing, frustrating, and complicated. All children learn differently, at different rates, and in different ways. Having a positive, patient attitude will go further to support your child’s learning, than getting frustrated yourself. If necessary, don’t be afraid to ask for help. There are thousands of other parents in exactly the same position as you! Common questions include: How can I help? What do I do? How will I know if I am helping in the right way? How much is enough?

Your child’s school or teacher can be a tremendous help for parents looking to supplement their child’s learning at home. They will often give advice on activities to practice at home to support classroom work, and answer any questions that you have.  Other valuable sources may be hiring a private tutor, asking at the local library, and keeping up-to-date on local educational activities taking place in the community. Just remember…you are not alone.

The beginning of a new school year can be stressful for parents and children alike. Consistency and developing routines are paramount in making the transition as painless and as smooth as possible. By following the simple strategies above, you can ensure that you have set your children up for success and reinforce healthy habits and a positive attitude to school. 


Nourishing Minds Tutoring has been the leader in private tutoring in the Capital Region for over 9 years.

We offer qualified, reliable, and knowledgeable tutors who are expert teachers. We take the time to develop a rapport with each student to enable them to reach their fullest academic potential. Simply put, we believe that it is our job to make learning happen.

If you are in need of academic support of any kind, please contact us for a free consultation. Our services range from PreK through College, including special needs, test preparation, and homeschooling support. We offer competitive rates and referral programs in which you can earn free tutoring. You can get in touch with us by visiting our website https://nourishingmindstutoring.com/