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12-30-02
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Educators say it's important
to help children when they get a low grade, rather than just punishing
them..
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Helping Your Child Make
The Grade
by Andrea Pastorok, Ph.D.
(NAPSA)-As report cards begin to arrive in the mail,
how parents respond to these grades can affect their child's self-esteem
and future academic success. This is also a good time to see if a child
is on track for the school year. The following tips will help parents
interpret a child's report card.
- Pay attention to teacher comments, as they can
be more revealing than the grade itself. If any comments seem unclear,
follow up with the teacher and ask for more feedback. A grade often
doesn't reflect a child's potential ability.
- If your child's grade seems low, don't panic. Compare
it to the class average, and if it still seems low (in core areas such
as math or reading) seek help. Ask the school for remedial assistance,
hire a private tutor or enroll your child in a supplemental education
program such as Kumon Math & Reading Centers to help your child
succeed. Don't punish your child for poor grades, provide the support
needed to improve.
- For elementary age students, help your child achieve
long-term goals rather than focusing on the grade received. This is
the stage where a child develops confidence, an interest in learning
and basic math and reading skills; the fundamentals to succeed at high
school and college levels.Good grades will be required later on to pre-qualify
for honors or advanced placement (AP) courses offered in high school
and to maintain a strong GPA needed for entrance to college.
- Once a game plan is set for improvement, routinely
check your child's progress. Work with the tutor and monitor whether
your child is moving forward and achieving set goals. Parents must take
an active role in helping their child overcome difficulties. If a child
has a learning disability, it is especially important that parents are
patient and supportive.
- If your child doesn't do well on tests, it's important
to get him to practice; that obstacle can be overcome with repetition
and help. Today's child cannot fear test taking, or let testing interfere
with their ability to learn. The U.S. School System continually uses
standardized tests to measure accountability and now 17 states require
students to pass an exit exam in order to receive a high-school diploma.
Regardless of a child's needs, all parents should
try to maintain an ongoing dialogue with their child's teacher from day
one. Keep in touch by attending "parent nights," or call and
arrange for a meeting with the teacher. Don't wait for the report card
to signal a call to action.
Dr. Pastorok is an education specialist with Kumon
Math and Reading Centers. She has a doctorate in educational psychology,
a master's degree in counseling psychology and more than 30 years experience
working with children.
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