post
BLOG AND NEWS

Imagine a Fresh Start | Turn Student Struggles into School Success

Jan 17, 2020
 
 

 

Why Is My Child Struggling In School?

 

“My teacher hates me!” Jamie exclaimed as she threw her backpack onto the kitchen floor. “She always calls me out for talking or not paying attention, but I am paying attention!”

It can be disheartening for parents to hear that your child is having a hard time with a teacher, or that they may have difficulty staying on task. And when their grades are poor, too, you may wonder, “How do I help my child improve in school?”

 

Intervention Ideas for Struggling Students

 

Talk to Your Student About Why School is Hard

Start by gathering more information about what specifically is challenging for your child at school. Ask your child for examples of what happens at school while acknowledging their feelings. “It sounds like you had a rough day at school. I’m sorry to hear that. Help me picture what happened. What did your teacher say? What was happening right before that?” Take notes on activities or subjects that cause difficulty in school. Make mention of the emotion your student experiences, is she stressed at school or bored, frustrated or disinterested in learning?

 

Develop Strategies for Promoting Positive Behavior in the Classroom

Use imagery language to help your child picture what they could do differently, based on what the issue may be. “I know you were so excited about going to the movies over the weekend. When do you picture is the best time to tell your friends? During homeroom announcements or during recess?” Offering choices can make it easier for students who have difficulty verbalizing their thoughts or are hesitant to talk about how school is going. Picturing the right choice to make can help a child with behavior problems in school. 

 

Communicate with the Teacher about Supporting Your Struggling Learner

Start a conversation with the teacher about how to help your struggling student. Because tone can often be misinterpreted, it’s often best to meet in person. Sending a brief email to set up a time to chat may be helpful. Keeping a positive and respectful tone may help keep things productive: “Jamie seems to be having a tough time meeting the classroom expectations lately. I would love to meet one day to discuss what I can do to help support her in school.” The teacher may be able to shed light on the times of day or activities that are tricky for your student. She may suggest homework and assignments you can help with at home, which would help your student feel more prepared in the classroom. There may even be extra help available in the classroom or after school.

 

Signs of a Deeper Issue: Supporting Struggling Learners

Despite everyone’s efforts, students may continue struggle with school work. A renewed focus on your child’s homework can often reveal difficulties with the material; weakness in learning and literacy skills may seem more apparent. They may also start to share more detail about their classroom struggles.

 

How To Help Struggling Learners 

For many struggling students, behavior problems often begin in the classroom when the workload becomes too hard or when they realize they aren’t able to read as well or as quickly as their peers. They know they can’t always do the assignments presented to them, so it becomes easier to find new and clever ways to avoid tasks. Gifted children can present behavior issues in school when expectations don’t align with performance. Students with a high IQ for example, often are labeled “lazy” because it is assumed that they should be able to read and comprehend well. For these bright students, it’s especially tough to see how much easier reading is for their peers.

No parent wants to feel like their child is falling behind in school. For many, the first step in helping struggling learners succeed in school is addressing underlying learning challenges. If the foundational sensory-cognitive skills for reading are not in place, students may struggle to reach their learning potential. 

 

Learning Challenges: Symbol Imagery and Concept Imagery

A cause of difficulty in establishing sight words and contextual fluency is difficulty in visualizing letters in words. This is called weak symbol imagery. A primary cause of language comprehension problems is difficulty creating an imagined gestalt. This is called weak concept imagery. This weakness in comprehension causes individuals to get only “parts” of information they read or hear, but not the whole.

Signs of weak symbol imagery can be easier to spot in struggling students (slow, labored reading, difficulty with spelling) than those of weak concept imagery (difficulty with following directions, answering open-ended questions, grasping humor, mental mapping). Students struggling with symbol imagery often have difficulty reading words but can comprehend, and maybe labeled dyslexic. Weakness in comprehension can often present as low motivation or a short attention span in students struggling in school. 

 

How to Help a Child Struggling with Reading

Finding the right intervention can make all the difference for children struggling with reading and comprehension. Individualized sensory-cognitive instruction can address the specific learning challenge of each child and help them find success in school.

Watch the video below to hear from a mom whose daughter was struggling at school and wasn’t able to read despite being extremely bright. She describes how Lindamood-Bell instruction changed their family’s life: “She took a final assessment at the end, and the results were just incredible. More than what I had hoped for.”

 

 

Learn more about how Lindamood-Bell instruction can turn this school year around for your struggling student. An accurate Learning Ability Evaluation is the first step in teaching individuals to learn to their potential. Click here to find a Learning Center near you.

 

Connect with us
Lindamood-Bell summer learning can change your child’s life! Our evidence-based instruction improves Reading, Comprehension, and Math in just a few weeks. 
⏳Enroll now for special savings on your first week of summer learning. Hurry, spots are filling fast! 
Follow the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
Make a Meaningful Impact This Summer!
Our learning centers are hiring enthusiastic, positive individuals with strong communication skills and a passion for helping students succeed. Join us as an Educational Clinician/Tutor and be part of something truly rewarding.
✨ Paid training provided!
Apply now. Link in bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
📢 Attention Educators! Save 20% on In-Person Workshops in San Luis Obispo, CA this June! 🌞
💡 Lindamood-Bell workshops offer evidence-based programs to support students struggling with reading and math, and those diagnosed with dyslexia, ADHD, and autism. Ideal for SPED staff, SLPs, MTSS interventionists, paraprofessionals, and tutors.
Use code JOINSLO25 at checkout to save 20%.
 👉 Spaces are limited—sign up today! Link in bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
Summer at Lindamood-Bell can be life-changing for your child!
In just a few weeks, our evidence-based instruction can make a lasting impact in Reading, Comprehension, or Math.
⏳ Enroll now to save on your first week of summer learning!
Spots are filling fast—don’t miss out!
Follow the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
🎧 New Podcast Episode: A Parent Perspective on Autism & Reading Challenges 🌟
Hear how Lindamood-Bell’s evidence-based approach helped a child with autism overcome reading struggles and the effects of language delays, boosting confidence and skills.
This inspiring story offers hope for families facing similar challenges.
👉 Listen now at the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
🌟 Make a difference this summer!
Lindamood-Bell is hiring! We’re looking for motivated, enthusiastic individuals with strong communication skills and a desire to help students thrive.
Join us as an Educational Clinician/Tutor and be part of something truly rewarding. Paid training provided!
📍Explore openings and apply now. Link in bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
Why do so many literacy reforms fall short—and what can be done differently?

In our recent webinar, Paul Worthington, Director of Research and Development at Lindamood-Bell, explains what’s been missing from past initiatives and how our evidence-based approach is helping close the gap for students across the country.

🎥 Watch the full webinar: “Why Literacy Reform Keeps Failing and What Actually Works”
 🔗 Link in bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
📚Help your child catch up or get ahead with Lindamood-Bell summer instruction! ☀️
Our personalized, one-to-one instruction builds skills in reading, comprehension, and math—for all ages and abilities, in person or live online.

🔍 Evidence-based approach
 🧠 Proven effective for students with dyslexia, ADHD, autism & more
 🎉 Fun, confidence-boosting environment

💸 Enroll now and get 10% off your first week with our Early Bird offer!
⏳ Don’t wait—get the details and save your spot today! Link in bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
Make a meaningful impact this summer! 🌞
Lindamood-Bell is now hiring enthusiastic, positive individuals with excellent communication skills and a passion for helping students succeed. Join us as an Educational Clinician/Tutor and be part of something rewarding.
🔎 Explore open positions and apply today!
Link in bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
🎓 You’re Invited to the Lindamood-Bell Academy Virtual Open House!
📅 Tuesday, April 29, 2025
 🕙 10:00 a.m. PT | 1:00 p.m. ET | 6:00 p.m. BST

Discover how our accredited K-12 private school helps students thrive through personalized, evidence-based instruction—both online and in person.

🎤 Join us live to learn more and get your questions answered during the Q&A!
🔗 Register now at the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
 ✨ We can’t wait to share what makes our Academy truly unique!
🌞 Make This Summer Count!
Unlock your child’s learning potential with our unique Learning Ability Evaluation—the first step toward lasting success in reading, comprehension, and math.
🎉 Now just $495 (reg. $1150)
💡 Plus: Get 10% off your first week of summer instruction!
💥 Hurry—this limited-time offer won’t last!
👉 Tap the link in our bio to get started, @lindamoodbellofficial.
Parents, make this summer count! 🌞📚
Give your child the boost they need with Lindamood-Bell summer instruction—designed to help students catch up, hone skills, or get ahead in reading, comprehension, and math. Our engaging, evidence-based approach delivers results, with students often gaining years in just weeks!
🏫 In-person or live online—both options lead to similar, strong gains.
💡Enroll now and save! Get 10% off your first week with our Early Bird offer.
Secure your child's spot today! ✨ Link in bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
Give your child a summer of success with Lindamood-Bell! 
☀️📚Our one-to-one instruction helps students of all ages and abilities build skills in reading, comprehension, and math—whether in person or live online.

✨ Personalized, evidence-based instruction
✨ Proven effective for students with dyslexia, autism, ADHD, and other learning challenges
✨ A fun, supportive environment that builds confidence

🌟Enroll now for summer and save! Get 10% off your first week of instruction with our Early Bird offer.

Don’t miss out—get details and reserve your spot today! Link in bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
Ready to make a difference this summer? ☀️ 
Our learning centers are hiring! We're looking for enthusiastic, positive individuals with excellent communication skills and a passion for helping students succeed. Join us as an Educational Clinician/Tutor and be part of something rewarding.
🔎 Explore open positions and apply today. Link in bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
Request Information

Request Information

When you complete our form, we'll send you to our digital information packet and reach out to you shortly.
You may also call us at

* required

Schedule a Learning
Ability Evaluation

Please fill out the form and we will be in touch to schedule an evaluation.

* required