Education
Falling Behind: When, How and What To Do STORY Kalisha Fitsch Children spend at least 12 years of their lives in school, learning everything from tying their shoelaces to complicated equations and much more. Learning these skills can be vital to success in life, which is why falling behind is a common concern for parents. Falling behind is very common, but it can have lasting effects. A study by the charity Save the Children found that 84 per cent of children who were falling behind by the age of seven would be behind to some degree for the rest of their academic career. It’s estimated that 10 to 16 per cent of students struggle with their learning due to a variety of reasons. These struggles can be a cause of low self-esteem and frustration for the child, so how does this happen, and what can be done to help?
Some Signs Your Child May be Falling Behind Of course, all parents want their children to be happy and successful in life, and it can be difficult to realise that your child isn’t keeping up with their peers in school. Kids aren’t always open to talking about school, but there are a few signs you may pick up on from an outside point of view that may signify that something is off. Developmental delays. Young children develop at their own rates, and some may need a longer to build up certain skills. It’s a good idea to look into developmental milestones for your child’s age and what skills are needed for each grade. For instance, before starting prep, your child should know how to put on their shoes, go to the toilet on their own and eat and drink without help.
www.pakmag.com.au | March 2020 21
