Failing grades in class should be a cause for concern as soon as a parent becomes aware of them. If the problem is not addressed immediately, the child may be in danger of failing the entire grade and having to repeat it next year. Having a child spend an extra year of his or her life in school is not a pleasant prospect, either for the student or for the parent.
These
are steps which should be taken to find a solution to the child's difficulties:
A. Reflection. As the parent, you are the closest person to your child, the one most likely to be aware of the difficulty. Have there been any recent upsetting events in his or her environment? Is there tension in the home, frequent quarrels, a separation or divorce? Is someone in the family seriously ill?
Sometimes children must cope with situations which, though unfortunate, cannot be helped. A parental divorce, a serious illness or death of a loved one, or a move to a new school, city or country, are examples of such circumstances. If the child does not appear to be adjusting after a reasonable time, about three months, a few visits with a child psychologist would be in order.
B. Talk to the child. Do not be angry, or upset. Ask in kindly way why he thinks his marks are down and ask if there is anything you can do to help. If you have developed a friendly, trusting relationship with him, you may get an answer.
C. Consult the child's teacher. Ascertain the subject area which is causing the difficulty and ask if she, as a professional, has spotted any clues which might identify the problem. She has the advantage of seeing your child in relationship to his peers and may have noticed a recent change in his manner or his relationships. Inquire specifically if there has been any indication of bullying.
Ask for an outline of the year's curriculum in the problem subject, so you can work with the child at home until he catches up. If you don't feel competent in teaching yourself, consider hiring a tutor.
D. Consult the child's doctor. Request a thorough check-up to make sure there are no physical problems lurking in the background.
E. Examine his schedule. If he is busy every night of the week with sports or other extra-curricular activities, he is over-extended. For most children, one week night engaged in something else besides homework is plenty. Young people are like the rest of us; they need time to rest, relax, watch TV, play, or just listen to the music of raindrops on the roof.
F. Structure after-school time to ensure that he has a definite routine to facilitate getting homework done. An hour after classes could be devoted to outdoor play or relaxation, followed by the evening meal. Immediately after, the child should go to a quiet, comfortable. well-lit area to do homework, plus any additional work in the difficult subjects which you or the tutor have assigned.
If the child has been progressing well up until this point, if he is in the appropriate grade for his age and ability level, these suggestions, when followed, should overcome the problem. If not, more in-depth testing: physical, intellectual and psychological, may be indicated.
Remedial action should be taken immediately when failing grades become evident. For a child to repeat a grade and spend an extra year of his life in school, when it is not absolutely necessary, is in no one's best interest.
A. Reflection. As the parent, you are the closest person to your child, the one most likely to be aware of the difficulty. Have there been any recent upsetting events in his or her environment? Is there tension in the home, frequent quarrels, a separation or divorce? Is someone in the family seriously ill?
Sometimes children must cope with situations which, though unfortunate, cannot be helped. A parental divorce, a serious illness or death of a loved one, or a move to a new school, city or country, are examples of such circumstances. If the child does not appear to be adjusting after a reasonable time, about three months, a few visits with a child psychologist would be in order.
B. Talk to the child. Do not be angry, or upset. Ask in kindly way why he thinks his marks are down and ask if there is anything you can do to help. If you have developed a friendly, trusting relationship with him, you may get an answer.
C. Consult the child's teacher. Ascertain the subject area which is causing the difficulty and ask if she, as a professional, has spotted any clues which might identify the problem. She has the advantage of seeing your child in relationship to his peers and may have noticed a recent change in his manner or his relationships. Inquire specifically if there has been any indication of bullying.
Ask for an outline of the year's curriculum in the problem subject, so you can work with the child at home until he catches up. If you don't feel competent in teaching yourself, consider hiring a tutor.
D. Consult the child's doctor. Request a thorough check-up to make sure there are no physical problems lurking in the background.
E. Examine his schedule. If he is busy every night of the week with sports or other extra-curricular activities, he is over-extended. For most children, one week night engaged in something else besides homework is plenty. Young people are like the rest of us; they need time to rest, relax, watch TV, play, or just listen to the music of raindrops on the roof.
F. Structure after-school time to ensure that he has a definite routine to facilitate getting homework done. An hour after classes could be devoted to outdoor play or relaxation, followed by the evening meal. Immediately after, the child should go to a quiet, comfortable. well-lit area to do homework, plus any additional work in the difficult subjects which you or the tutor have assigned.
If the child has been progressing well up until this point, if he is in the appropriate grade for his age and ability level, these suggestions, when followed, should overcome the problem. If not, more in-depth testing: physical, intellectual and psychological, may be indicated.
Remedial action should be taken immediately when failing grades become evident. For a child to repeat a grade and spend an extra year of his life in school, when it is not absolutely necessary, is in no one's best interest.
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