Top 5 Signs Your Child Might Need Academic Support—And What to Do About It in the UAE

27/11/2025 / Online Tutoring

When children struggle at school, the signs can be subtle, slow to appear, or easily mistaken for normal growing pains. In the UAE, where academic expectations can feel especially high and children often navigate multilingual and multicultural environments, these challenges can surface in unique ways. Recognising them early can make an enormous difference to a child’s confidence, resilience, and long-term success.

Below are five key indicators that your child may need additional academic support, followed by guidance on what you can realistically and effectively do next.

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1. Changes in Behaviour or Attitude Towards School

One of the earliest and most easily overlooked signs is a shift in how a child behaves before, during, or after school. A previously eager learner may suddenly complain of stomach aches on weekday mornings, resist homework, or become unusually quiet when you ask about their day. These behaviours often mask feelings of frustration, embarrassment, or anxiety, especially when a child can’t fully articulate what is bothering them. You might also notice subtle changes such as irritability in the evenings, increased tiredness, or a reluctance to talk about friendships or classroom activities. These small signals, taken together, can point to mounting emotional strain linked to academic challenges.

In the UAE, where schools vary widely in curriculum style—British, American, IB, and others—children sometimes struggle to adapt to the specific expectations of their learning environment. Homework routines, assessment methods, and even classroom culture can differ significantly from one system to another. A child who has recently moved within the country, shifted schools, or transitioned to a new curriculum may feel overwhelmed by unfamiliar approaches to learning. Even children who have been in the same school for years can experience sudden difficulty when teaching styles change between year groups or when academic demands become more rigorous.

If your child’s attitude changes noticeably, it’s essential to treat it not as defiance but as communication. Behaviour is often the first-place stress reveals itself, long before a child has the words to express what’s wrong. By viewing these signs through a lens of curiosity rather than frustration, you give your child space to feel safe and understood.

Start by creating calm, consistent opportunities to talk. These conversations don’t need to be formal; they can happen during a car journey, a quiet moment before bedtime, or while sharing a meal. Children often open up when they sense you’re not rushing to judge or fix, and when the tone remains steady and patient. From there, reach out to their class teacher, who is likely the person with the clearest view of how daily learning is unfolding. Teachers can offer insight into classroom behaviour, peer dynamics, and academic performance, helping you build a complete picture of what your child might be experiencing.

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2. Difficulty Keeping Up with Core Skills

Difficulty keeping up with core skills—reading, writing, comprehension, and numeracy—is often one of the clearest indicators that a child may need additional academic support. These core skills form the foundation of almost every subject, so when a child begins to struggle in even one area, it can create a ripple effect across their learning. You might notice your child hesitating when reading aloud, skipping words, or losing their place on the page. Writing tasks may take far longer than expected, with children becoming frustrated by spelling, sentence structure, or simply getting their thoughts down. In maths, a child might seem confident with basic operations one day and confused by the same tasks the next, or they may rely heavily on you to guide them through homework they are meant to complete independently.

What often goes unseen is how exhausting this can be for the child. Falling behind in a core skill doesn’t just affect academic outcomes; it affects confidence, motivation, and the willingness to take risks in learning. Children may start avoiding reading or writing altogether, preferring activities where they feel more competent. They may rush through homework to escape the discomfort, or they might become anxious when tests or class presentations draw near.

In the UAE, where schools follow a wide range of international curricula, the pace and method of teaching these foundational skills can vary significantly. Some curricula place strong emphasis on early reading fluency, while others encourage inquiry-based learning that relies heavily on independent comprehension. When a child’s learning profile doesn’t align neatly with the expectations of their curriculum, gaps can widen quickly—especially if the child is navigating more than one language at home and at school.

Parents sometimes assume that a child “will catch up eventually”, and while many do, others benefit enormously from early, structured intervention. If you notice patterns—recurring confusion, growing reluctance, or a widening gap between your child and their peers—it’s worth taking action sooner rather than later. Targeted academic support, whether through school-based intervention programmes or high-quality curriculum-aligned tutoring, can help rebuild essential skills in a steady, supportive way.

Request your private online tutor here >

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3. Persistent Homework Challenges

Persistent homework challenges can reveal far more than simple reluctance or tiredness at the end of the day. Homework is usually where a child works without the immediate structure of the classroom, making it one of the clearest windows into how well they understand and can apply what they’ve been learning. Occasional frustration is entirely normal, but when homework consistently becomes a source of stress, confusion, or conflict, it may be a sign that your child is quietly struggling.

You might notice that tasks which should be straightforward take an unexpectedly long time to complete. Instructions may seem incomprehensible to your child, even when the teacher has explained them earlier in the day. Some children repeatedly ask for reassurance, checking each step with you before they continue. Others might procrastinate or avoid the work altogether, hoping to evade the discomfort that comes with not knowing where to begin. In certain cases, homework time becomes emotional, with children growing tearful, withdrawn, or irritable—not because they don’t care, but because they feel overwhelmed.

For many families in the UAE, multilingual home environments add an extra layer of complexity. A child who speaks one language at home and another at school may understand concepts well but struggle to express them confidently in academic English. This can make written assignments feel especially daunting. Similarly, children who have transitioned between curricula may find that homework expectations differ in ways they weren’t prepared for—perhaps there is more independent writing, more project-based work, or greater emphasis on mental maths.

It’s also important to consider that some children appear to cope well in the classroom because they are supported by clear routines, teacher guidance, and visual cues. At home, without those scaffolds, gaps in understanding become far more visible. When this happens consistently, it’s unlikely to be a matter of motivation alone.

If homework is becoming a nightly battle, approach the situation gently but purposefully. Start by observing patterns: is it one subject that causes difficulty, or several? Is the challenge rooted in comprehension, organisation, or sustained attention? Keep brief notes if it helps you identify trends. Then, discuss your observations with your child’s teacher.

With the right support—whether through small-group reinforcement at school, structured tutoring, or adjustments to homework routines—children generally become more confident and independent. Most importantly, timely intervention prevents homework from becoming a source of dread and instead helps restore learning as a positive part of daily life.

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4. Low Confidence and Frequent Self-Doubt

Low confidence and frequent self-doubt can be some of the most painful signs for parents to witness, yet they are also among the most telling indicators that a child may be struggling academically. Confidence shapes how children approach challenges, how willing they are to make mistakes, and how resilient they remain when tasks become difficult. When confidence begins to erode, learning can feel like an uphill climb, even if the child has the ability to succeed.

You might notice your child making comments such as “I’m terrible at this” or “Everyone else is better than me”. They may avoid raising their hand in class, shy away from group activities, or appear visibly nervous before tests or presentations. Some children withdraw quietly, choosing to sit at the back of the room or to keep their work hidden from others. Others may overcompensate by acting overly carefree or dismissive about school, masking their worry behind humour or indifference.

In the UAE, many children find themselves in academically competitive environments, surrounded by peers who may seem to grasp concepts quickly or excel in certain subjects. This can intensify feelings of self-doubt, especially when children compare themselves constantly—something that becomes more common as they progress through primary and lower secondary years. Children who are multilingual may also feel insecure if they struggle to express their ideas in academic English, even when their thinking is strong. This mismatch between ability and output can quietly chip away at their confidence.

Rebuilding confidence requires patience, understanding, and a consistent message that effort—not perfection—is what matters most. Begin by acknowledging your child’s feelings without dismissing them. A child who says “I can’t do this” does not benefit from hearing “Of course you can” straightaway; what they need first is recognition of their frustration, followed by gentle encouragement. Small wins can make a significant difference. Structured support, personalised instruction, and achievable goals can help a child experience success again, gradually restoring the belief that they are capable learners.

Teachers can offer valuable insight into how your child participates in class and whether they appear hesitant, anxious, or withdrawn. Working together with the school, you can create a plan that builds confidence step by step—through encouragement, practice, and support that meets your child where they are. Over time, children who once doubted themselves can rediscover learning as something they are not only capable of but can actually enjoy.

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5. Teacher Feedback That Something Isn’t Quite Right

Teacher feedback that something isn’t quite right often one of the clearest indicators that your child may need additional academic support. Teachers observe how children learn, interact, and respond to challenges every day, giving them insight into patterns that may not be visible at home. They may notice hesitation during independent work, inconsistent performance, or difficulty keeping up with class expectations.

In the UAE’s diverse school landscape, teachers are used to working with children from different linguistic and educational backgrounds. When they raise a concern—whether about reading fluency, comprehension, focus, or general confidence—it is usually based on repeated observations rather than isolated incidents. Their intention is not to criticise but to ensure your child receives help early, before small gaps widen.

If a teacher approaches you, try to gather specific examples of what they’ve seen and how long it has been happening. Ask whether the challenge appears in one subject or across several, and whether support is available through the school’s learning support or inclusion team. Many UAE schools have strong systems in place to identify and address academic difficulties at an early stage.

Responding promptly to teacher feedback sends a clear message to your child: that challenges can be tackled openly, and that support is available when they need it. When home and schoolwork together, children feel more secure—and this often leads to meaningful progress.

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How Principal Tutors Can Help

For families noticing signs that their child may be struggling academically in the UAE, early support can make a meaningful difference to both confidence and long-term progress. Whether your child is finding core subjects challenging, losing motivation, or feeling overwhelmed by school expectations, the right guidance can help them regain clarity and feel more secure in their learning.

Principal Tutors provides personalised, one-to-one online tutoring delivered by UK-qualified teachers who understand the demands of the British curriculum and the unique pressures children face in the UAE’s diverse educational landscape. Our tutors offer calm, structured support that strengthens essential skills, builds understanding, and gradually restores confidence.

Flexible, compassionate, and tailored to each learner’s needs, our sessions are designed to meet children exactly where they are—helping them move forward with steady progress and renewed self-belief. To explore how we can support your child’s academic journey, call Principal Tutors on 0800 772 0974 or complete our quick tutor request form on our website.

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