Every class has learners who find school harder than their classmates do. This guide is for teachers who want practical ways to help those learners catch up, stay engaged, and grow in confidence. It covers seven strategies, each with concrete examples you can try in your classroom.
On this page 11 sections
Who struggling students are
Before choosing a strategy, it helps to know what a learner is struggling with. Difficulties can show up in different areas:
- Academic skills, such as reading, writing, and math
- Social skills or behavior
- Learning conditions, such as learning disabilities or attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Emotional issues, such as stress or anxiety, that make it hard to focus and take part in learning
A learner may face more than one of these at once. Support works best when it fits the actual challenge.
Seven strategies at a glance
| Strategy | What it means | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Supportive learning environment | A classroom where learners feel valued and respected | Group work, regular feedback, recognizing achievements |
| Personalized instruction | Teaching that fits each learner’s needs | Targeted reading comprehension practice |
| Multisensory instruction | Lessons that use sight, sound, and movement | Graphic organizers, movement games |
| Technology | Apps, software, and assistive tools | Text-to-speech for learners with dyslexia |
| Regular feedback | Frequent, specific information on progress | One-on-one conferences |
| Self-advocacy | Teaching learners to speak up about their needs | Helping them name strategies that work for them |
| Growth mindset | Seeing challenges and mistakes as part of learning | Praising effort, not only results |
1. Create a supportive learning environment
Build a positive classroom climate that values diversity, collaboration, and mutual respect. You can do this by:
- Giving learners chances to work together
- Providing regular feedback
- Recognizing their achievements
When learners feel valued and supported, they are more willing to join in and take risks.
2. Personalize instruction
Tailor your teaching to each learner’s needs and interests. Start by assessing their strengths and weaknesses, then give differentiated instruction that targets specific skills. For example, if a learner struggles with reading comprehension, plan targeted interventions that build that skill.
3. Use multisensory instruction
Many struggling learners remember more when a lesson engages several senses: visual, auditory, and kinesthetic (movement). Try:
- Visual aids, such as a graphic organizer that helps learners sort information
- Games and activities with physical movement, which help engage learners who learn best by doing
4. Use technology
Educational apps, software programs, and assistive technology can help learners with disabilities or learning differences access the lessons. For example:
- Text-to-speech software helps learners with dyslexia or visual impairments access written content.
- Educational games can help learners with ADHD or other attention-related challenges focus on learning.
5. Give regular feedback
Feedback shows learners how they are progressing and what they need to work on. You can give it through:
- Regular assessments
- Progress reports
- One-on-one conferences
- Comments on specific skills or behaviors, such as writing or working with others
Learners who receive regular feedback are more likely to stay engaged and motivated.
6. Encourage self-advocacy
Self-advocacy means a learner can communicate their own needs and preferences. Help learners:
- Understand their learning differences
- Identify strategies that work for them
- Ask for the support they need
Learners who can advocate for themselves take a more active part in their learning and become more confident.
7. Cultivate a growth mindset
A growth mindset is the belief that abilities improve with effort. Teach learners to embrace challenges and to see mistakes as chances to learn. You can:
- Praise effort, not just achievement
- Encourage learners to try challenging tasks
- Reframe mistakes as opportunities for growth
Learners with a growth mindset are more likely to keep going when things get hard.
Putting it together
No single strategy works for every learner. Struggling students do best with a combination of approaches matched to their needs: a supportive classroom, personalized and multisensory teaching, helpful technology, regular feedback, self-advocacy skills, and a growth mindset. Used together, these strategies help learners reach their potential in school and beyond.
Frequently asked questions
Who counts as a struggling student?
A struggling student may have difficulty with reading, writing, or math, with social skills or behavior, or with conditions such as learning disabilities or ADHD. Stress, anxiety, and other emotional issues can also make it hard for a learner to focus and learn.
What is multisensory instruction?
It is teaching that engages several senses at once, such as sight, hearing, and movement. Examples include using graphic organizers and games that involve physical movement.
How can technology help struggling learners?
Apps, software, and assistive technology help learners with disabilities or learning differences access lessons. Text-to-speech software, for example, helps learners with dyslexia or visual impairments read written content.
How do I build a growth mindset in my learners?
Praise effort rather than only achievement, encourage learners to take on challenging tasks, and treat mistakes as opportunities to learn.
What does self-advocacy mean for a student?
Self-advocacy is a learner’s ability to communicate their own needs and preferences. Teachers can build it by helping learners understand their learning differences and identify the strategies that work for them.
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