How to spot learning gaps

If your child suddenly seems less confident this term, it’s not laziness — it’s a learning gap.

The start of a new year is often when learning gaps become most visible. Without the pressure of end-of-term assessments and with a fresh term ahead, it’s the perfect moment to pause, take stock, and make sure your child has the foundations they need to progress with confidence.

As children return to school routines after the holidays, many parents begin to notice where learning feels secure — and where it doesn’t. 

Here’s how to recognise learning gaps early — and what you can do to address them before they grow into bigger challenges.

What Are Learning Gaps?

A learning gap occurs when a child hasn’t fully understood a key concept or skill required to move forward academically.

Think of learning like building a brick wall. If you miss a few bricks in the bottom row (let’s say, understanding fractions in Year 5), the wall might look fine for a while. But as soon as you try to build higher (like starting Algebra in Year 8), the whole structure starts to wobble.

These gaps are common and often unintentional, but if left unaddressed, they can affect progress and confidence over time.

Common examples include: 

• Struggling with number bonds, times tables, or place value in maths. 

• Reading fluently but not fully understanding what’s been read. 

• Difficulty applying grammar rules in writing. 

• Forgetting or confusing topics learned in a previous term or year.

Learning gaps often develop gradually — during busy school terms, after transitions between year groups, or when lessons move on before understanding is secure.

Why the New Term Is the Best Time to Spot Gaps

At the beginning of a new term, children are expected to build on prior knowledge straight away. If foundations are weak, struggles often appear early. 

Parents may notice learning gaps when: 

• Homework feels harder than expected. 

• New topics rely heavily on last term’s work. 

• Children seem unsure about concepts they “should” already know. 

January offers a valuable opportunity to identify these issues early — before frustration or loss of confidence sets in.

What You Can Do at the Start of the Year

The early weeks of a new term are ideal for quietly observing how your child is coping with their learning. There’s no need to turn this into intense revision or added pressure. Short, focused check-ins —through homework, reading together, or casual conversations about what’s being learnt at school — are often enough to reveal patterns.

Rather than focusing solely on whether answers are right or wrong, try asking questions that encourage explanation. Prompts like “How did you work that out?” or “Can you explain this to me?” give far more insight into your child’s understanding than test results alone. 

It’s also important to look for patterns rather than one-off struggles. Everyone has occasional off days, but repeated difficulty with the same skill or topic usually signals a learning gap that needs attention.

Confidence should always come first. Children who feel encouraged and supported are far more willing to engage with learning. When understanding improves, confidence often follows — and learning begins to feel achievable again. 

If concerns persist, seeking targeted support early can make a significant difference. Personalised tuition helps identify learning gaps and rebuilds strong foundations, often in far less time than parents expect.

A New Year Mindset for Learning

The new year isn’t about pressure or perfection — it’s about progress. Identifying learning gaps now allows children to start the term on stronger footing and approach learning with renewed confidence.

Small steps taken early can make a powerful difference over the rest of the academic year.

If you’d like help understanding whether a learning gap is present and what to do next - we’re here to guide you.