4 Ways to Build Confidence in a Struggling Student
Is your child
pulling away from school or saying things like “I’m not smart enough”? A
student’s confidence doesn’t disappear overnight. It gradually fades when they
stop believing they can make progress. The good news is that this confidence
also returns when they experience success they believe they earned. And you, as
a parent, can help them rebuild it.
1. Use
encouraging language.
Watch how you
phrase your feedback. Do you catch yourself saying things like, “You’re just
not good at math”? That can reinforce the idea that ability is fixed—and that
no amount of effort will matter. Instead, say “You haven’t figured this part
out yet.” That word “yet” is very important because it reframes challenges as
something to work through with time and effort, not something to avoid.
2. Let
mistakes lead to questions, not judgment
Don’t rush to
fix things that your child gets wrong. Instead, ask them what they would do
differently. When students learn to respond to mistakes without fear, they’re
much less likely to give up at the first sign of struggle.
3. Set
routines.
Pick a
consistent time and place so your child isn’t spending mental energy deciding
when or where to work. Having a predictable homework schedule can remove stress
before it starts.
4. Name their
strengths, even the quiet ones.
Some students
don’t see their strengths because they don’t match what traditional schools
reward. It’s up to you as a parent to point out the things that aren’t always
graded, like their attention to detail and patience with others. Link those
traits to schoolwork, and your child will see how they already have useful
tools and just need to apply them!
The value of
hiring a tutor
If your child
shuts down during homework or avoids certain subjects altogether, you may be
asking: Should I start looking for high school tutors near me to
help my child rebuild confidence and improve their study habits? That’s a fair
question. Sometimes, a struggling student needs someone outside the family to
see their effort.
Having a tutor
creates a space where mistakes aren’t judged and are instead used to guide the
next step. Your child might feel more comfortable asking questions when they’re
not afraid of disappointing you.
Where can I
find the best high school tutors near me?
PALS Learning
Center in Piscataway pairs students with tutors who understand both the
academic and emotional sides of learning. Here, we build consistent study
routines and teach practical strategies students can carry into every subject.
Find out more about our tutoring programs on this website. You can also call +1
732 777 7997 for questions.

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