Why Doesn't My Child Understand Like the Other Kids?

When School Feels Like a Foreign Language

It’s hard to watch your child struggle while their classmates seem to absorb lessons so easily. You sit with them at the kitchen table, correcting a simple math problem for the fifth time. They look up at you, frustrated, sometimes tearful, and you wonder, "Why isn't it clicking? Why doesn’t my child understand like the others?"

You're not alone in asking this question. So many parents carry the silent weight of worry when their child doesn’t follow the rhythm of school as expected. But here's the truth: learning isn't a one-size-fits-all process. And "understanding differently" doesn't mean "understanding less."

Not All Struggles Wear a Name

Before diving into strategies or potential diagnoses, it’s important to pause and look beyond labels. Some children have diagnosed learning differences like dyslexia or ADHD. Others may simply process information in a different way—visually, kinesthetically, or through storytelling rather than rote memorization.

One mom I recently spoke to shared her son's deep struggles with reading comprehension. She thought he just wasn’t trying hard enough. It wasn’t until she observed how easily he recalled episodes from audio books that she saw the pattern: he was an auditory learner in a lecture-heavy, text-focused classroom. That realization changed everything, not just for school, but for their connection at home.

If you've ever asked, "Is my child really paying attention?" or felt unsure whether it's inattentiveness or something deeper, know that you're not imagining it. The signs are often subtle, buried under behavior, fatigue, or even perfectionism.

When Learning Styles Clash With Teaching Styles

Imagine a child who learns best through movement, listening, or hands-on exploration—then imagine them asked to sit still, silently read, and write for hours each day. Over time, it’s not just comprehension that suffers. Self-esteem takes a hit, too.

Many children labeled as "slow" or "distracted" are simply out of sync with how the information is being delivered. Some need repetition; others need it framed within a story to care. Some need to revisit the material later—on their terms, in their time, in their space.

That's where technology can quietly support kids in ways the school system currently can’t. For instance, tools like the Skuli App can transform a written lesson into an immersive audio adventure, placing your child at the center of the story—with their name woven in—so they're not just memorizing; they’re experiencing, connecting, and understanding.

Finding the Deeper “Why”

Sometimes, the issue isn’t how they’re learning—but how they’re feeling. Emotional distractions—anxiety, fear of failure, or even boredom—can mask themselves as confusion. A child might act out, shut down, or seem "lazy" when they're actually overwhelmed or unsure how to ask for help.

This is especially true between the ages of 6 and 12, when children are building not just academic skills, but also identity and confidence. Subtle signs of emotional struggle often show up as learning difficulties. When we look closer, we often find a hurting child behind the homework battles.

Take a quiet moment to reflect on what might be going on beneath the surface. Not every obstacle is cognitive. Some are emotional, situational, or even relational. And you, as their parent, are often the first to sense what others miss.

How You Can Support Your Child Today

Understanding your unique learner doesn’t mean fixing everything overnight—but it does mean shifting how you approach their struggles. You are the translator between their world and the school’s expectations. Start with empathy. Then, create opportunities for them to engage with learning in ways that make sense to them.

Here are a few gentle ways to begin:

• During car rides, turn those minutes into passive learning moments with audio versions of subjects they’re tackling.
• At homework time, instead of re-reading a lesson that frustrates them, try snapping a photo and letting tools turn it into a personalized quiz they can play with.
• Reframe school struggles as puzzles to solve together, not problems they must fix alone.

Observe how your child responds to different formats. If your daydreamer comes alive at night imagining stories, consider how that creative energy might be harnessed for topics like science or history. Imagination isn’t the enemy of learning—it’s often the key to unlocking it.

Trusting the Journey

You may not have all the answers yet. None of us do. But what your child needs most is what you’re already offering: your time, concern, and love. And sometimes, that one small, consistent effort—reading differently, listening instead of reading, seeing through their eyes—will bring the breakthrough you’ve both been waiting for.

If you’re still unsure what’s really behind your child’s confusion, this guide on uncovering root causes of disengagement might help you see the bigger picture.

Your child may not understand like the others—but that’s because they were never meant to be "like the others." And maybe, just maybe, that’s their best gift.