How to spot if your child is enjoying themselves at school? Five red flags they show they may not be

With schoolwork picking up and the first academic year without any pandemic related disruptions thoroughly underway, it might be hard to gage how your teen is faring – asking them about it may only garner an answer of ‘fine’ or ‘OK’. According to a landmark study, four out of five teenagers have said that their academic progress has slipped because of the pandemic, with 45% stating they have not been able to catch up with lost learning. Parents have also noted the drop in their child’s academic achievement, with a report from MyTutor, the UK’s most trusted tutoring platform, finding that 26% of parents have noted a visible decline in their child’s educational progression. As a parent, it can be extremely hard to get the full picture, but there are signs you can look out for to see how your teen’s really getting on. As such, MyTutor – the UK’s most trusted tutoring platform has put together a guide to stay on top of how your child is doing in school, and check if they may need some extra support.

They get angry when you bring up school
Teens may not be the most open when you ask them about school or how their day was, but if you’re seeing a big difference in their mood since the start of school, it could be a sign that they’re struggling. They might have gaps in their learning or having a hard time staying on top of their homework. If they’re lashing out more than usual, there’s a chance their confidence has taken a knock.

They spend too much time on homework
When students move up a level – like the jump from up from GCSEs to A-Levels, it’s normal for them to spend a bit more time on their work. But if they’re struggling for hours and hours on the same subject, then they might need extra help. Check in with them by offering snacks or a drink– and see what their body language is saying. If they’re hunched over and look deflated, there’s a chance they’re having a hard time and may need some extra help.

They’re not sleeping or eating well
If they’re struggling at school, it can have a negative knock-on effect when it comes to your teen’s physical health. Thoughts like, ‘I’m stupid,’ or ‘no one likes me,’ can keep them up at all hours. Sleep is so important to their wellbeing, so you want to nip their worries in the bud. As a parent, you’ll know the tell-tale signs of when they’re not getting enough sleep. Do they look tired? Are they falling asleep in class, or at strange times of the day? Are they more irritable than usual? And when they’re stressed, their appetite can take a hit, too. Are they skipping meals? Leaving lots of food on their plate? Or, are they eating tons of junk food? Under-eating, and overeating are both red flags when it comes to their wellbeing.

They’ve lost interest in the things they usually enjoy
Hobbies and interests are so important to your teen’s wellbeing. It helps them stay balanced. But if they’re pulling away from the things they love– like football practice, or even just watching their favourite shows, it might be a sign that things aren’t going well at school.

They’re spending a lot of time alone
When they’re not seeing friends and keeping to themselves more than usual, it might be a sign that they’re going through something. There are behaviours you can look out for. Like if they’re lying in bed staring up at the ceiling, or at their screens for hours at a time– it’s a good idea to check-in to see what’s going on. They’re spending a lot of time alone.
It’s completely normal for you to worry when your teen’s having a hard time at school. But there’s still lots you can do as a parent to help them along:

Have regular chats
Spending regular time together makes it easier for your teen to open up. Dr Louise Egan, – would remove hyperlink a child psychologist, says, ‘There’s no quick fix.’ But if you put your teen in the driver’s seat by asking them, ‘What can I do to help?’ you might be surprised by how much they share. And with lots of chats and encouragement, you can help them work out how to get on track.

Source free online learning resources to make sure their education isn’t impacted further by the cost-of-living crisis
MyTutor is launching their ‘MyTutor Squads’ for students looking for free interactive learning resources on the subjects that students are struggling the most with. Offering free online tutoring sessions in Maths, Coding, and Smart Study Habits, MyTutor is proof that a well-rounded education that sets your child up for success, doesn’t need to cost an arm and a leg. ‘MyTutor Squads’ start 10 October and run until 16th December, for all students seeking extra support free online tutoring classes throughout the autumn term.