Expert shares why kids have meltdowns before schoolwork
An educational specialist shares some key insights into why kids get emotional or have meltdowns before doing homework.
As we settle into the first term of school and juggle homework along with the many responsibilities that come with supporting our children's education, we were delighted to come across some valuable insights from an education specialist.
Kat, The Education Specialist, shared why young children often become angry, emotional, or frustrated when tackling their schoolwork or homework.
Many parents can relate to facing an irritable child when it’s time to hit the books. Sometimes, we even need to check our own mindset before sitting down with them – bringing the day’s stresses into a homework session is never a good idea.
More importantly, it's easy to blame kids for being lazy when they have a don't care or over-emotional attitude when it comes to homework. However, Kat suggests that there’s often much more at play.
She explained that a child’s resistance to schoolwork is often a sign of frustration, anxiety, or feeling overwhelmed – not necessarily laziness. As parents, it's important to approach these moments with understanding rather than judgement.
Schoolwork can trigger a range of emotions, especially if a child associates it with past struggles or confusion. They may feel discouraged because they don’t fully grasp the subject, or they might be overwhelmed by information overload, a fast-paced curriculum, low confidence, or difficulty processing lessons in the time given.
Kat suggests that children aren’t necessarily struggling with learning itself, but rather with feeling disconnected or disengaged from how they’re being taught.
She highlighted an important shift in how kids consume information – many are exposed to high-energy, fast-paced content from streaming platforms from a young age.
When they enter a traditional classroom setting, the contrast can be jarring, making learning feel slow, uninspiring, or difficult to connect with.
School introduces them to aesthetic worksheets, long explanations, quiet sessions, structured lessons. It's no wonder that some kids seem bored or disengaged. It's not that they don't want to learn, it's the way they are being taught which is competing with the most engaging technology they've ever known. Teachers are doing their best in a system that wasn't designed for this type of competition. One teacher class with 30+ students, packed syllabus, limited time, meanwhile our kids are used to learning from technology that adapts instantly to their needs. It's not that teachers are not trying, it's about a system that hasn't kept up with the way kids are wired to engage today.
Contrary to what you might think, as a parent, you can play a crucial role in supporting your child's learning.
You can reduce stress by creating a more positive learning environment, conducting a baseline assessment to identify any learning gaps, and trying shorter, more interactive sessions with regular breaks.
Starting with simpler tasks can also help build your child's confidence and self-esteem, making them more willing to engage with schoolwork.
Kat emphasised the importance of considering different approaches to education. Some children may thrive outside of traditional schooling, whether through tutoring, homeschooling, or alternative learning methods tailored to their needs.
Above all, she stressed that open communication is key –
understanding why your child feels disengaged is the first step toward
finding a solution that works for them.
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