If school problems aren’t picked up and addressed early, they can be bad for children in the long term.
To start with, school problems might contribute to poor self-esteem. In the longer term, they can affect your child’s mental health.
School problems can also lead to an increased risk of dropping out. Children who have academic problems might be more likely to avoid school in the short term and to leave school early in the long term. These children might also be less likely to do further education or training in the future.
Another consequence of school problems is that children can get tagged with unhelpful labels like ‘uninterested’, ‘easily distracted’, ‘lazy’ or ‘doesn’t try hard enough’. Young people often start to believe these labels and think that they’re ‘troublemakers’ or ‘misfits’. All these labels suggest that children are to blame for school problems. But school problems are often a sign that children aren’t getting enough support.
Finally, when children fit in at school and feel like they belong, it’s good for their well-being. But children who have problems at school can experience a reduced sense of belonging and well-being.
Causes of school problems
Some of the more common causes of school problems are underlying learning difficulties or learning disabilities – like dyslexia – or behavioral or emotional issues. But there are many other reasons why a young person might not be achieving academically.
Personal factors might include:
chronic illness
mental health issues like depression or anxiety
experiences of trauma
difficulties with self-esteem, communication skills or social skills
difficulties with listening, concentrating or sitting still.