Best Exercises to Help Your Child Understand a Difficult Lesson

When Your Child Just Doesn’t Get It

Every parent has faced this moment: your child is sitting at the table, textbook open, eyes glossed over, frustration mounting. You've tried explaining the lesson again, maybe even looking up videos or examples—but nothing is clicking. You can see the storm of confusion and self-doubt swirl behind their innocent eyes, and it breaks your heart. Because deep down, both of you want the same thing: for learning to feel empowering, not defeating.

If you're parenting a child between the ages of 6 and 12, these moments can happen often. Lessons become more complex, and every child processes information differently. So how do you help when the traditional "read and repeat" method just isn't working?

The Importance of Changing the Format to Match the Child

Some kids are great with visuals. Others need movement. Many learn best when they feel involved—when the lesson speaks to them. Think about how your child responds when you tell a story where they’re the main character. Suddenly, words come alive. What if a tough grammar rule or a tricky science concept were introduced that way?

This is where adapting the lesson to your child’s preferred learning style can make all the difference. For example, if your child struggles with reading dense texts, try turning their lesson into an audio story. One parent we spoke to noticed her 9-year-old son perked up during long car rides when he could listen to his history lessons aloud. Tools like the Skuli App allow you to transform written lessons into audio adventures—with your child’s name as the hero—so learning follows them wherever they go, and in a format that feels familiar and fun.

Create a Mini Adventure from the Lesson

If your child is struggling with, say, fractions, instead of drawing another half-pie diagram, create a real-world task: a pizza night where they have to divide ingredients based on family preferences. Let them plan the shopping list and calculate quantities. The goal isn’t to trick them into learning—it’s to show them that difficult isn’t the same as impossible. It just needs a why and a how.

We once heard from a mom of a 7-year-old girl who couldn’t grasp verbs in French grammar. She wrote a detective story where each verb was a “suspect” and her daughter had to match them to the right action in sentences to solve the case. With the mystery narrative wrapped around the lesson, not only did her daughter begin to understand verbs, she started asking for "the next case." That’s the magic of contextual learning—it unlocks curiosity.

Let the Child Teach You

It might seem counterintuitive, but switching roles can sometimes make a world of difference. When your child struggles to understand a concept, after some initial review, ask them to teach it back to you. Yes—even if they aren't 100% sure themselves. The process of explaining helps organize thoughts and identify gaps in understanding.

Make it playful. Pretend you're a student who's easily confused. Ask silly questions. Laugh with them. Learning becomes a shared journey instead of a one-way uphill climb. And through it, they gain confidence in what they know and realize what they still need help with.

The Power of Repetition, Without the Boredom

Another common obstacle is the need for repetition. Children often need to encounter a concept multiple times in different contexts to truly grasp it. But repeating the same worksheet five times? That’s a recipe for disengagement.

Instead, engage repetition differently. Consider turning a photo of the lesson into a quiz format—something interactive and low-pressure. This kind of approach can reinforce material without frying your child’s attention span. The Skuli App offers this exact possibility: snap a quick photo and transform it into 20 personalized questions your child can review on the go.

Pacing Matters More Than You Think

One undeniable truth is that mental energy for kids is limited—and precious. If your child is already mentally exhausted from the school day, diving straight into a difficult lesson might only lead to frustration. A small break, some outdoor play, or even just a snack and a cuddle can help "reset" the emotional climate before studying.

Creating a gentle, flexible learning routine that includes breaks, shared goals, and clear start-and-stop times can be incredibly effective. If this sounds daunting, don’t worry—we've put together some easy strategies here to help you set up a routine that actually works.

Sometimes, the Struggle Isn’t Just the Lesson

If these efforts still don’t work, take a moment to ask: is it truly about the lesson, or is something deeper going on? A child who’s anxious, bored, or has lost confidence may resist learning even if the tools are right. Addressing the emotional side of learning can be just as crucial as tackling the academic challenge.

If your child seems consistently disconnected or avoids learning altogether, it might be time to explore ways to reignite their motivation. Sometimes reigniting curiosity is the best place to start.

You’re Not Alone in This

There’s no single right way to help a child understand a difficult lesson, because every child is unique. But one truth holds for all: when learning feels engaging, personalized, and safe, understanding follows.

With tools designed to adapt to their needs and stories crafted around their interests, the struggle doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Trust in your own ability to make learning feel like an adventure again—and remember, small changes often make the biggest difference.