School failure: what it is, causes and what to do in the face of school difficulties

There is more and more talk about school failure and how Our country is above the average for the rest of the European Union on this question.

When trying to analyze the origin of this problem Some blame teachers or the educational systemwhile others say parents don’t pay enough attention to the education of their children or that today’s boys and girls “are lazy and don’t study.”

In any case, Rather than looking for those responsible, it is convenient to find practical solutions for when our children have difficulties in school, so that they do not become chronic and lead to general failure.

Some tips allow better understand why children fail, how school failure can be prevented, and what can be done to help them cope adequately with their studies.

What is school failure

School failure should not be identified with failures, although, in general, the only scale to measure school results are gradesthat is, the number of passes or fails.

we will say that school failure appears when a boy or girl who does not present any intellectual problem is unable to achieve the objectives established for their age and academic level.

From the point of view of education experts, one can only speak of school failure in the strict sense when the student has failed to pass compulsory education.

anyway, and from a broader perspectivebefore talking about absolute failure, it should be noted that there are children with poor results only in specific subjects (languages, mathematics, etc.) but that calmly pass the rest of the subjects, just as there are others with a good school record who at a certain time get many fails but after a short time they overcome the pothole.

So, due to his ability, his attitude or a specific critical situation of an emotional natureFor example, a student can go through periods of low performance that should not be classified as school failure, since alarmism and a pessimistic vision can lead to discouragement that greatly complicates possible recovery.

Even if the child has to repeat an entire course, it should not be concluded that it is a failure.

In summary, Primary school failure can occur when it appears in the child’s early years as a result of maturational difficulties. In this case, either it remits spontaneously or it remains unresolved.

On the contrary, failure is called secondary if it arises in a timely manner after a few years of good schooling and due to evolutionary changes such as puberty.

In addition, It is circumstantial when it appears for specific reasons (parental separation, change of school, etc.) but it is resolved quickly. and it is called permanent when it is the common trend throughout the entire schooling.

The main causes of school failure

We will not enter here to assess the possible shortcomings of the school system as the origin of educational failure, but rather we will deal with the Causes of the student, subjective or from the socio-family environment in which it is located.

In this sense, some of the possible reasons can be described, although on more than one occasion the problems occur for more than one reason.

intellectuals. It is estimated that only approximately 2% of school failure is due to intellectual factors, especially mild mental retardation. It can also appear in gifted children without an adapted study program.organic. The different physical deficiencies, such as visual or hearing problems not diagnosed on time or poorly corrected, can lead to a child having a learning delay from his early years.Affective and emotional factors. Among these factors are those that respond to a specific circumstance (the death of a family member, separation of parents, a change of school, etc.), which are relatively easy to overcome, and those that respond to a type of personality , such as overprotected children, with low self-esteem and insecurity, with few limits, etc. and that they will need the help of a professional to avoid reaching school failure.learning disorders. A high percentage of failures is due to disorders such as dyslexia or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

How to spot dyslexia

Dyslexia is characterized by severe difficulties in learning to read and write.which is at the base of any other learning.

It can be diagnosed when a child without intellectual or personality problems have a delay of more than two years in this area compared to the rest of his peers.

Some indicators of possible dyslexia are:

a reading excessively slow,inversion of letters as “marde” for “mother”,letter change like the “d” for the “p”o letter confusion that makes him skip many words and even make them up.

These same signs are still easier to appreciate in the case of writing.

Dyslexia also causes spatial-temporal confusion and that the child finds it difficult to situate himself in today or tomorrow, confuses the hours, the days of the week or the months of the year, and shows difficulties to orient the right and the left, front and back, etc.

An early diagnosis of dyslexia and its treatment help the child to substantially improve its consequences and not be immersed in a great delay in the early stages of their schooling.

What to do with a hyperactive child

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a disorder that occurs in hyperactive children with a lack of control over their impulseswhich leads them to have lots of trouble paying attention in class and, consequently, to miss explanations, not writing down homework in the agenda, etc.

This disorder can also be observed at home and not only in relation to school tasks but also in normal coexistence. These are children who are rarely still, are constantly changing activities, and are unable to concentrate more than very short periods of time.

The early observation and consultation with a professional make solving the problem easier.

How to help effectively in the face of school difficulties

In addition to taking into account the advice to prevent school failure, when things are not going too well at school it is convenient to act in time so that the feeling that “it is not worth studying” is not established in the childwhich would increase their insecurity and start a vicious circle that would lower their performance and self-esteem.

Parents must be aware that at these critical moments one must intervene calmly but also forcefullyusing the advice that can be received from the school of the boy or girl.

In turn, for this intervention to be effective The reasons that may influence poor performance should be assessed first. The answer will be different depending on whether it is a learning, emotional or circumstantial problem.

Learning and organic problems (dyslexia, dyslalia, vision, hearing, etc.) usually appear in the first steps of schooling and properly treated by a speech therapist or psychopedagogue can be resolved or minimized.

If we see that our child has problems with literacy or the first numerical calculations or we suspect a vision or hearing problem we must act quickly.

Emotional problems can be of a very diverse order, from very insecure children, with low self-esteem or personality difficulties, to specific situations that can be an obstacle at a certain time, such as a change of school, the birth of a sibling, the death of a relative, the separation of parents , etc.

In these cases we should consult with a child clinical psychologist so that the child can overcome this type of difficulties.

Also We must be especially attentive to those children who, due to being very shy and introverted, may present relationship problems at school with their classmates, since excessive difficulty in interacting with others can lead to a school phobia, the origin of demotivation and possible school absenteeism.

In situations of this type, it is necessary to establish a good coordination with tutorssince they are the ones who can try to influence the dynamics of the class so that the child feels more secure and accepted within the group.

What to do when facing school failure

When, despite all the efforts carried out so that a child does not end up failing in school, in the end it cannot be avoided, there is great frustration both in the family and in the student himselfAlthough sometimes the boy or girl wants to show their indifference to such a failure.

Although, obviously, this reality is not what the parents wanted for their child It is also not convenient to think that it is an absolute catastrophe, because the fact that he fails in school does not have to mean that he fails in life.

Reactions to school failure can be very diverse. Some parents can be scared and feel anxious before the magnitude of the challenge of educating their children.

It is convenient, in these difficult moments, to continue being by your side and encourage him so that he does not feel that he is useless, and encourage him so he can focus on other options training according to their interests, such as professional training.

Keys to school success

The best way to avoid school failure is to prevent it and, in this area, parents can do a lot from their homes.

First of all, it must be taken into account that schooling is only one of the parts that make up the global education of children.

Teachers intervene in it as professionals but parents are the first responsible of that education that begins from the moment the child is born and must have as its objective that they become a mature, autonomous and happy person.

In this sense, although the family cannot prevent the intellectual or organic causes that can lead a boy to fail at school, it can You can clearly influence to educate by example and avoid emotional aspects that can be harmful.

Here are some tips To achieve this goal:

Don’t overprotect so as not to raise insecure, capricious and dependent children who do not know how to face setbacks and difficulties on their own.Put limits children from a very young age so that they learn what is right and what is wrong, what to do and what not to do. Do not give them everything they ask for, but make them see the value of effort and work to achieve what one wants. This will increase your motivation and responsibility.Instill respect for others as a fundamental value so that they learn to respect their classmates and teachers.Assess learning from school for themselves and on a day-to-day basis, and not just as a way for them to “earn a lot of money” tomorrow.Create good study habits and have an adequate space for it. Hold regular meetings with the tutors to make a good track your schooling.

What to do to motivate the child or…