The #1 mistake parents make when their kid is struggling in school

We’ve just kicked off December, and your child’s school year is just about halfway complete! Now, if your kid is struggling in school, you’re in the right place! Because today’s post is on: The #1 mistake parents make when their kid is struggling in school – and how you can fix this!

Note: Click here for an audio version of this blog post. And by the way, if you’re a podcast listener and listening to these is your happy place, I hope you’ll subscribe to The Learning Corner!

I am so excited because I just finished recording a training video for you all on how to get your child off the tutoring hamster wheel!

But of course, I couldn’t resist giving you a sneak peek, you are one of my website readers, after all, so here it is!

The #1 mistake parents make when their kid is struggling with school, is hiring a 1:1 tutor and calling it a day, assuming it’s the best thing they can do to set their child up for success!

One of the reasons why hiring a 1:1 tutor just isn’t a magic fairytale spell to fix everything when your kid is struggling in school… is because it’s:

1:1!

Now I know I’m going to get flak for this point. Many people swear by 1:1 private tutoring. However, let me tell you, you are spending MUCH more cash on something that is LESS effective.

Say what?

You heard me! I mean sure, 1:1 tutoring is the best way to guarantee that your child is getting exactly what they need at any given moment.

However, let’s compare, for a moment, your child’s academic and lifelong success, to climbing a mountain. You may think I’m exaggerating, but I bet you that if your kid is struggling in school and you ask them about it, they would say school feels exhausting, insurmountable, high stakes, and never-ending. Sounds a lot like mountain climbing now, doesn’t it?

Now, nobody – or almost nobody – tries to climb Mount Everest alone. It takes all forms of help to achieve that great accomplishment – and succeeding in school and beyond is no different.

So what do you need when you’re climbing a mountain?

Just like a mountain climber might need a Sherpa guide to navigate the weather and peaks, your child needs their tutor or educator – to guide them and show them the hidden pockets of tips and tricks.

And beyond that, a climber needs gear ropes, coats, tents, and more. Similarly, your child will need tools to help them apply and practice the skills they are trying to learn.

Last but not least in our metaphor, an athlete looking to climb Mount Everest will need a community of support during their climb as well as long before they ever set foot on the mountain. They will need dietitians and personal trainers to get them in good shape. And once you up on the mountain? Well, I imagine you’ll need motivation and support to face the physical, mental, and emotional journey.

Similarly, something absolutely magical happens when a child is immersed into a community of peers working towards their same goal, following their same strategies. They don’t necessarily get this sense of support and community at school, and if that’s the case, they will need to find it elsewhere if they are to truly thrive.

Learning from each other’s questions, offering and giving help on subjects that are your strengths, and asking for and accepting help on subjects that are your weakness are crucial aspects of learning. Having a community of peers to whom you can share your wins – both big and small, knowing that they will understand your journey to get there. Having a safe space to seek out this help, and in which to receive your peer’s generosity – is the very fabric that will support a life of success.