How to Know If Your Child Is Really Understanding Their Lessons in Class

Understanding the Signs: Is My Child Keeping Up in School?

You've probably asked yourself this more than once: "Is my child really following what’s happening in class?" Maybe you get vague responses when you ask about school, or maybe homework time turns into a frustrating guessing game. As a parent, noticing the early signs of struggle can make all the difference — not to push harder, but to step in with the right kind of support at the right time.

"It Was Fine" — When There’s More Beneath the Surface

Picture this: Your child walks in, tosses their backpack on the floor, and when you ask how school went, they shrug and say, "Fine." It may not sound alarming, but over time, that shrug could be hiding a growing sense of confusion or disengagement. Children between the ages of 6 and 12 often don’t have the language — or courage — to say, “I didn’t understand a thing today.”

Instead, you might start noticing other clues:

• Homework takes unusually long (and consists of lots of erasing and sighing)
• Your child forgets what the teacher explained — even later the same day
• They avoid starting assignments or come up with creative excuses
• They lose confidence and say things like “I’m just not good at this”

These are moments where children are telling us, in their own ways, that the lesson didn’t ‘stick’ — even if they sat through it at school.

Behind the Lack of Comprehension: It’s Not Laziness

It's easy to assume that distraction or laziness is the problem. But under the surface, your child might be facing real obstacles: a mismatch in their learning style, delayed processing, anxiety in the classroom, or simply needing more time than others to understand a new concept.

In fact, reading comprehension issues often go unnoticed until they show up in multiple subjects — from word problems in math to science instructions.

Seeing the Learning Through Their Eyes

One way to know whether your child is truly grasping classroom material is to gently invite them to ‘teach’ it to you. Instead of asking, “Did you understand today’s math lesson?”, try: “Can you show me how today’s math problem works?” Give them the whiteboard. Let them talk it through. If they can explain it clearly, there’s a good chance they understand it. If not, you’ve just uncovered a gap — and that’s valuable information.

Another trick? Use storytelling. Kids love being at the center of a story. Tools such as the Skuli App let you turn written lessons into personalized audio adventures, where your child is the hero — literally using their first name to walk through math challenges or grammar quests. It’s a subtle (and magical) way of reviewing material while keeping kids emotionally engaged.

When Homework Becomes a Clue

Homework is often the first mirror into whether the lessons stuck. If your child stares blankly at assignments, it could mean the teacher’s explanations didn’t connect. But before assuming the worst, check whether your child simply needs a different way to absorb information. Some children grasp concepts best by hearing them—so transforming a written lesson into audio (even played casually on the drive home) can unlock new understanding.

Still struggling? Maybe it’s time to rethink the learning style altogether. Personalized learning approaches often make the difference between dread and discovery.

Creating a Safe Space to Say “I Don’t Get It”

Here’s something many kids desperately need: permission to not understand right away. When children believe that learning means "getting it the first time," they often shut down when they don’t. Instead, build a home environment where questions are celebrated and initial confusion is normal.

At the dinner table or before bedtime, try sharing a story about something you once struggled to learn. When real-life adults talk about learning as a process (with mistakes and wrong turns), kids feel less alone in their own stumbles.

The Quiet Power of Review

One often overlooked way to check comprehension is through targeted review — not just re-reading, but actively engaging with the material in new formats. Using something like a customized quiz on a lesson your child just saw in class can tell you instantly what they absorbed and what flew over their head. Some apps (like Skuli) allow you to snap a quick photo of a lesson page, and instantly convert it into a 20-question quiz tailored to your child’s level. It turns passive notes into active learning, without the emotional weight often tied to homework.

Need more ideas for keeping your child engaged in reviewing schoolwork? Check out our guide on active learning strategies.

In the End, It’s About Connection — Not Perfection

It’s hard watching your child struggle. But don’t underestimate the difference it makes simply to notice and be curious. When kids feel seen, heard, and supported — without judgment — they thrive. Whether it’s with stories, review games, or late-night chats about math frustrations, you are helping them build not just academic skills, but resilience.

And when things feel stuck? Remember, you’re not alone. More parents than you think are asking the same questions. Together, we can raise learners who don’t need to be perfect — just supported.

Related: What to Do When Your Child Doesn’t Want to Do Their Homework