What characteristic is found most frequently among underachieving children?

Low self-esteem is a characteristic frequently found among underachieving children. When children have low self-esteem, they may doubt their abilities and feel incapable of achieving academic success. This lack of confidence can lead to avoidance behaviors, where they may disengage from challenging tasks or responsibilities, ultimately resulting in underachievement. This association is particularly strong because underachievers often believe they are not capable of meeting academic expectations, which further solidifies their negative self-image and perpetuates a cycle of underperformance.

In contrast, avoidance refers to the tendency of some students to evade difficult tasks or situations, which can often be a manifestation of their low self-esteem. Nonconformity might be observed in some gifted learners but does not directly link to underachievement as a frequent characteristic. Perfectionism, while sometimes prevalent among gifted individuals, often manifests in high levels of achievement rather than underachievement. The connection between low self-esteem and underachieving children is well-documented in educational psychology, highlighting the importance of fostering a sense of self-worth to encourage academic engagement and success.