Understand Learning Difficulties

By second grade, you can reasonably expect students to maintain attention for 20-30 minute stretches of time, even for topics they don’t like. The most common signs that students age 8+ might have attention problems:

Often fidgety, calls out, or disruptive

Frequently stares off into space or struggles to follow along in conversations or group discussions

Seems forgetful or often doesn’t remember

Attentive for long periods of time for activities they enjoy (video games, sports, a good book) but struggles to focus for short periods on topics they find less interesting

Inconsistent performance or scattered errors on assignments despite good understanding

Be cautious! Do not assume attention difficulties when you see a struggling student. Attention difficulties are commonly confused with other learning or emotional challenges, including:

Memory

Anxiety or Depression

Self-confidence

Other academic difficulties

Given that many of the observable signs overlap, an objective screener or evaluation is always the best way to avoid misidentification and ensure you’re supporting your student in the way they will benefit most.

In short, students who are not paying attention are not learning. Unaddressed attention difficulties often lead to gaps in knowledge and declining performance, even among the brightest students. These strategies are a great starting point to help students who struggle with attention.

Sit students away from  distractions like the window or door. Ideally sit near the front of the room where a teacher can support them

Incorporate stretch breaks breaks every 20 minutes

Provide an organized desk space so they have everything they need readily accessible

Develop self-awareness of when they lose focus so they learn to get themselves back on track

Help them develop an achievable homework routines that enable them to be successful

Show empathy! Understand that these kiddos are likely trying hard to sit still and stay focused but it’s not easy for them.

Keep in mind, if your student does have an attention problem they are likely to need more structured, individualized supports over time. Early identification and support is always best.

By second grade, students should be able to listen and follow directions without constant reminders. These are the most common signs that students might be struggling to follow directions.

Follows single step instructions but struggles with two or more steps without help

Consistently misses steps in written or verbal instructions

Usually needs help getting started after instructions are given

Gets frustrated when asked to follow instructions independently

Struggles to follow along or understand class discussions 

Has difficulty understanding during read alouds or circle time

It’s important to pinpoint why your student is struggling, as listening & following directions are multi-faceted skills. Listening difficulties can have their roots in one or several areas.  The most common reasons students struggle to listen or follow directions:

Hearing problems. Check-in with your pediatrician or school nurse

Attention or executive functions struggles

Processing challenges

Reading or comprehension challenges

Too tired to listen/insufficient sleep

Bored or uninterested

Since most teaching is done via lecture, and directions are usually given verbally, children with trouble listening and following directions often struggle. They may also underperform on tests because they do not follow the instructions correctly.

These strategies won’t solve the listening challenges, they can help students succeed while you are addressing the underlying cause:

Provide verbal and written instructions to make sure they can follow along and reference as needed. 

Give information in chunks, rather than giving information all at once.

Have students sit closer to the front of the room so you can spot check regularly for understanding.

By middle school, students should be capable of basic time management and organizational skills. Even the brightest students will struggle in school without good organizational skills. Here are signs that your student might be struggling more than most teens.

Understands the material but hands in incomplete or late assignments

Often the last to finish in-class assignments

Often asks for extensions or says homework takes too long

Very messy locker or desk

Often can’t find things when he needs them

Often late or unprepared for class

Struggles more than most to complete long-term projects

Doesn’t do “fair share” in group assignments

The reasons for poor organization can vary widely, so it might take multiple conversations among teachers, parents and the student to fully understand how to help. Here are some of the most common reasons for organization and time management struggles:

Feels anxious or overwhelmed and then gets “paralyzed”

Weaker executive functions

Weaker memory

Slower processing speed

An objective screener or consultation is always the best way to be certain to understand why the student is struggling and how to best help.

Even the brightest students who struggle with organization skills might not live up to their full potential. These strategies can result in spending less time on homework, less stress, and better grades.

Provide clear expectations on assignments and check in to be sure they are understood

Teach basic time management

Help them organize their lockers or homework space 

Show them how to plan for longer projects.

Be patient. Provide gentle reminders and encouragement, especially if you know they are trying their best.