My 6 yr. old daughter is having a hard time lately focusing in school, what is wrong?

Question

My daughter had been doing very well in school lately, but recently her teacher has told us that she is not completing her classswork and she plays with her hair and is not paying attention to the task at hand. Her teacher says she was doing fine until now and even asked us if anything has been going on at home. Things have been rough for a while, my husband is home taking care of my 2 year old because his business went really bad and he hasn't found any work. I am the only one working and this has created a lot of pressure for me and I don't know if this is something that my 6 yr. old see's or if it is totally unrelated, but I am concerned. I asked her if something was bothering her or if something has happened that she is not able to concentrate at school, but she just cries and says nothing is wrong . I am very worried it might get worse. I feel helpless. Please help with any suggestions or ideas as to what the problem might be and how I can help her

Answer 1

Children notice that stuff even when we think they don't.  Play up the positives of having dad at home taking care of everyone and let dad step in and help her with her school work.  Talk with her about the change, and that things are going to be okay.

Answer 2

Maybe with all the changes at home, she's feeling left out. Is she receiving some one on one attention? Like going out with you or your husband for a lunch or other outing? Are you guys participating in her classroom? She might feel like she's not important anymore and if she hears you and your husband talking about the stress of your situation, she could be internalizing it. One other thing, has she had her eyes checked? Just a thought to make sure she's not having a problem seeing the board at school......

Answer 3

What type of school work has she been doing since this started?

It could be that she CAN"T do the work, not that she WON"T do it.

If she CRIES and says nothing is wrong, then something is wrong.

Find out what work she is doing in school and do it with her, to see if she's having problems or not.

Answer 4

Summer is almost here.  Spring fever and wanted to be outside to play is a biggie.  Don't stress, she did fine all year I am sure it isn't anything major.

Answer 5

Get her eyesight checked?

Answer 6

ask her if someone is bullying her at school. my son went through the same thing. it got to the point where he would cry and say his tummy hurt so he wouldn't go to school. it started just the same way your daughter is. my son also said nothing was wrong. yes bullying does start  that early sad but true.