When your child comes home with a below average report card, it can be disappointing for everyone. However, it’s important to keep your cool and remember that not all people learn the same way. It’s crucial to accept and work through any learning challenges. As a result, they’ll feel empowered and more likely to put forth an effort.
Telling your child that they’ve failed will only encourage their grades to spiral. So, it’s important that you serve as a guide to help them find their way to success. Here are some of the best ways to do just that.
Identify The Issue
Sometimes the reasons for children’s academic struggles is due to an emotional distraction. Perhaps their parents are going through a custody battle, or they recently experienced a death in the family. Try to consider whether there may be any emotional upsets in your family currently which may be contributing to your child’s poor performance in school.
Ask them if anything is going on that they’d like to talk about. If there doesn’t seem to be any emotional distress causing their academic struggles, then it’s time to move onto other possibilities. Their teacher may be subpar; they may be distracted socially, or even getting caught up in risky social behavior. There are all sorts of possibilities which could lead to bad grades. However, the only way to overcome challenges is to identify them first.
Provide Relevance
One of the biggest reasons that kids don’t take an interest in school subjects is because they don’t see how they have a use for it. Providing them with real-life examples of why their education is important can be incredibly enlightening.
When a student has a connection to the subject they’re learning about it serves as a powerful tool. They’ll be much more motivated to continue learning about something which they recognize as useful.
Never Stop Touching Base
Your job is never finished- even when their grades improve. You should regularly check in on how they’re doing and what they’re learning about.
When children feel like their schoolwork is overlooked by their parents, they have no motivation to try harder. By holding them accountable, they’ll be much more likely to stay on top of their grades.
Use Positive Reinforcement
Tell your child that they are smart and capable. Teach them to believe in themselves and give them words of encouragement. Positive reinforcement motivates them to keep striving to keep up the good work.
Use words of encouragement every day to remind them that they are worthy of praise. Show them that it’s not acceptable to use language such as “I can’t do this,” or “I’m stupid.”
The first step to academic excellence is believing in themselves. Teach them the tools to do so!
Originally posted on March 14, 2019 @ 7:02 am
