How to Help Your Child Succeed in 4th or 5th Grade (CM1 or CM2)

Understanding What’s at Stake in CM1 and CM2

By the time your child reaches CM1 or CM2—equivalent to 4th and 5th grade—they’re no longer new to school, yet the challenges seem to grow. Maybe your child is falling behind in math, stressing over spelling tests, or just constantly saying, "I hate homework." You’re not alone. These years are tricky: the academic demands are higher, independence is expected, and the looming transition to middle school starts to feel very real.

For many parents, this stage becomes a turning point. Gone are the days of sitting side-by-side during coloring time. Now, you may feel more like a coach on the sidelines—desperately trying to motivate a child who doesn’t always want to play the game. But there’s hope. With the right support—and a little strategy—4th and 5th grade can become years of real growth and confidence building.

When Struggles Start to Show

If your child is losing motivation, forgetting homework, or becoming anxious before tests, it’s not just you—or them. At this stage, children are expected to manage more complex tasks: writing longer texts, solving multi-step problems, memorizing grammar rules. For some, it's a natural fit. For others, it feels like an uphill battle.

You might notice your child:

• Says they’re "bad at school" or compares themselves to others
• Rushes through homework or avoids it entirely
• Breaks down emotionally after school or before tests

These are signs they’re overwhelmed—and it's not about laziness. Recognizing when your child is struggling is the first step. If you’re not sure how to respond, you might find this article on supporting a struggling learner helpful.

Stepping Into Their Shoes

Let’s imagine the school day through your child’s eyes. They spend six to seven hours juggling math, French, science, and history—all in a noisy, busy environment. By the time they get home, they may feel mentally drained. Taking a moment to connect—with empathy rather than correction—can completely change how they respond to you.

Try starting with: “You had a long day. Want to tell me one thing that went well and one thing that was hard?” This simple reflection eases the pressure and tells your child you’re there to listen, not just to check their homework.

Making Review Time Less of a Battle

Let’s be honest—homework is rarely joyful for anyone. One powerful question to ask yourself is: Does my child need more explanation, or just more engaging ways to practice?

Sometimes, reviewing lessons doesn’t need to happen with a pencil in hand. Kids who struggle to stay focused might respond better to reviewing through movement, games, or even listening. That’s why tools that turn a child’s written lesson into an interactive audio story—where they become the hero of their own adventure—can be surprisingly effective. One parent I spoke with recently said her daughter started asking to review her lessons more often, just so she could hear what happened next in “her” story. (This smart storytelling feature is part of the Skuli App, if you're curious—it’s available on iOS and Android.)

For more ideas on avoiding power struggles over homework, you can take a look at this guide to calmer lesson reviews.

Structure That Works (Even When You're Busy)

Your child doesn’t need a rigid timetable—they need rhythm and predictability. Set short, focused study times with plenty of breaks rather than hours-long sessions. If your evenings are full of after-school commitments, you can experiment with audio-based lesson reviews in the car, while preparing dinner, or during quiet time before bed.

Still trying to find the right routine? Don’t miss this article on building practical study habits. It includes strategies for turning everyday moments into learning opportunities—without extra worksheets.

Building Confidence Before the Big Jump

CM2 is not just the last year before middle school—it’s the bridge between childhood and adolescence. The pressure to prepare can weigh heavily on some children. Reassure them that success isn’t about knowing everything now, but about growing a curious, confident brain that will continue learning for years.

Try celebrating small wins: finishing an exercise without giving up, reading a new type of book, remembering a multiplication table. These are victories, too.

And if your child starts to say things like "I'm not smart" or "School isn’t for me," it may be time to dive deeper into what’s really going on. This article on motivation loss can help you untangle those invisible knots.

You Are the Secret Ingredient

Here’s what no school report will tell you: your support—and your belief in your child—matter more than any test score. When you show up with patience, when you adapt instead of push, when you let them be heard rather than fixed—you’re laying the foundation for success that will last far beyond CM2.

It’s not about perfection. It’s about progress. And with care, consistency, and the right tools at your side, your child’s potential in 4th and 5th grade can truly shine.