Learning Struggles at Age 10: Is It Time to Consider Outside Help?

When homework becomes a daily battle

It’s 6 p.m. on a Thursday. You’ve just finished a long day at work, dinner’s on the stove, and your 10-year-old is sitting at the kitchen table, eyes glazed over, tears of frustration welling up as they stare at a math problem that’s been stuck on the page for 20 minutes. You take a deep breath, pull up a chair, and try your best to help—but you’re already exhausted, and so is your child.

Moments like these can feel isolating. You might wonder: Is this just a bad week, or is there a deeper issue at play? Should we press on as a family, or would a new perspective—a tutor, a coach, an app, a teacher—help lighten the load?

Recognizing the signs: When school becomes a source of anxiety

It’s perfectly normal for kids to go through rough patches at school. A tough unit in math, a change in classroom dynamics, or even a poor night’s sleep can temporarily affect performance. But when challenges persist—especially in multiple subjects, or when they begin affecting your child’s confidence or emotional well-being—it may be a sign that help is needed.

Here are a few common red flags:

• Your child dreads going to school and complains of stomachaches or headaches regularly.
• Homework consistently ends in tears, anger, or avoidance.
• You notice frequent “zoning out” or loss of attention during homework or class discussions. (Here’s how to help when zoning out becomes a habit).
• Your child says they feel “stupid” or compares themselves unfavorably to classmates.
• Teachers have expressed concerns about performance, focus, or engagement.

If any of these sound familiar, consider stepping back to assess what your child might truly need.

Understanding what kind of support might work best

“Outside help” doesn’t always mean hiring a traditional tutor—although that’s absolutely one potential option. What your child may need is not just more instruction, but different instruction. Alternative approaches to learning may unlock what traditional ones have not.

For example, some kids simply don’t learn best through reading and writing. They may be auditory learners who would benefit from listening to lessons out loud—maybe even during drives to school or downtime at home. Others might need highly interactive, playful ways to process new material. Turning a dry textbook paragraph into a story that stars them (yes, with their own name!) can transform learning into an adventure they want to return to.

Some educational apps, like Skuli, are stepping into this space in thoughtful ways. One of its unique features allows you to turn written lessons into custom audio adventures where your child becomes the hero—recasting math facts and grammar rules into a format they're actually eager to explore.

When your child feels behind, confidence is everything

By age 10, many kids have already decided whether they see themselves as "good" or "bad" at school. As a parent, it’s heartbreaking to hear a child say, "I'm just not smart" or "I'll never get this." And yet, this self-narrative often spirals once a child starts falling behind academically.

This is where the right support can make all the difference. Whether it’s a caring tutor who helps rebuild foundational skills, or a structured routine with engaging tools at home, the goal is to interrupt the failure loop and offer your child early wins—small victories that show them they’re capable and resilient.

We unpack this more in this article on helping kids without panic, but the key takeaway is: kids need to experience competence again. Not in the form of perfect grades, but by overcoming small obstacles and recognizing it themselves.

Listening before taking action

Before diving into external solutions, take time to really listen to your child. Not just to what they say, but to how they behave when school comes up. Do they avoid it? Do they light up when talking about a particular subject, or shrink away the moment homework appears?

Try an open dialogue approach: “I’ve noticed school has been really hard lately. Can you tell me what parts feel most frustrating? What parts feel okay?” Sometimes, getting an answer might take several tries—but keeping the tone safe and non-judgmental can eventually lead your child to open up.

And importantly, invite them into the process of finding help. Kids are far more likely to engage with a new solution if they feel involved in choosing it—be it a tutor they meet once a week, an audio tool they can listen to on their own terms, or a quiz format that feels more like a game than a test. (Skuli, for instance, lets you snap a picture of a lesson to instantly generate a personalized 20-question quiz tailored to your child’s exact level—making review less overwhelming and more targeted.)

A fresh perspective can change everything

Getting external support doesn't mean you’ve failed as a parent—far from it. It means you're paying close attention and stepping in with intention. And sometimes, an outside voice—whether it's from a new tool, a mentor, or a specialized educator—can say something in just the right way to click with your child. You bring love, presence, and consistency; the right help brings strategy, expertise, and sometimes, just enough novelty to reset your child’s relationship with learning.

And if you’re wondering where to start, we explore some fun and engaging learning methods here, as well as ways to re-motivate a discouraged learner. Every child is different, but none of them are unreachable—sometimes, they just need a new path carved to help them find their way again.

Final thoughts: You’re not alone in this journey

If you’re reading this, chances are you’re doing an incredible job already. You’re showing up, paying attention, and looking for better answers. That’s what parenting through academic struggle truly asks of us.

The right help, at the right time, can relieve pressure—on your child, and on your relationship with them. Let yourself explore those options. You’re not giving up. You’re showing up—just in a new and powerful way.