Why Students Don’t Ask for Help—and How to Change That as an Educator?

I wanted to share this insightful article I came across from Edutopia that really resonated with me. It’s a practical and research-backed look at why many students don’t ask for help—and how small shifts in classroom culture can make a big difference.

Brief Summary:

The article, “Why Students Don’t Ask for Help—and How to Change That” by Cathleen Beachboard, explores three key strategies educators can use to encourage help-seeking behaviour:

  1. Modeling – Normalising asking for help through visible peer engagement and teacher-led activities.
  2. Structure – Embedding collaborative systems like peer-led help desks and “ask three before me” rules.
  3. Communication – Changing how we talk about help-seeking to frame it as a strength, not a weakness.

It’s a great read for anyone interested in creating a more inclusive, collaborative classroom where students feel confident owning their learning journeys.

Let me know your thoughts if you read it! :blush: