Your Child Is Struggling at School — What Now?

You get the call from school — or maybe it’s just a gut feeling. Your child is suddenly quiet after class, tearful at drop-off, or getting regular reports that they're struggling with their behaviour or socially in school. You’re worried. You don’t want to overreact, but you also don’t want to wait until things get worse.

If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Many parents come to Little Minds Psychology with the same questions:

“They seem fine at home — is it really that serious?”

“Is this just a phase?”

“Do I talk to school first… or do I look for outside help?”

"They're really struggling in school but is that something I should be getting involved in?"

The truth is, school can be a huge emotional pressure point for children — even in the early years. And when something’s not quite right, it can shows up in all sorts of ways through your child's behaviour.

Let’s talk about what might be going on, and how support can make a real difference.

What Struggling at School Can Look Like

Every child is different, but here are some common signs that your little one might be finding things difficult:

• Tearfulness or resistance at drop-off

• Changes in behaviour (either at home or in class)

• Avoiding certain lessons or refusing to attend

• Frequent tummy aches or headaches

• Complaints of feeling “left out” or “in trouble all the time”

• Teacher concerns about focus, regulation, or friendships

These aren’t just behavioural issues — they’re often signals that a child’s emotional needs aren’t being fully met.

You Don’t Have to Figure It Out Alone

This is where a child psychologist can step in — not just to assess what’s going on, but to help create a plan that works across home and school.

At Little Minds Psychology, we offer:

• A broad psychological assessment to understand how your child is feeling

• Collaborative meetings with schools to ensure consistent support

• Parent consultations with clear, practical strategies

• Ongoing emotional work to help your child feel safe, heard, and confident

We also work directly with schools, supporting SENCOs, teachers, and pastoral teams to respond in a relationship-focused way with empathy and evidence-based tools.

Why School Collaboration Matters

The most effective support for children happens when home and school are on the same page.

Whether that’s putting gentle adjustments in place (like emotion check-ins or visual schedules), or helping staff understand your child’s needs more deeply — that joined-up approach can be life-changing.

Next Steps — A Gentle Beginning

You don’t need a formal diagnosis or a school referral to seek help. If your child is struggling — even in small ways — it’s okay to explore support.

You can book a free 15-minute call to see if we’re the right fit by sending an email to info@littlemindspsychology.com or filling in our Contact form