Does Yor Child Require Extra Academic Support?

Does Yor Child Require Extra Academic Support?

One bad grade doesn’t mean it’s the end of the road; but repeated low grades point to a bigger problem.

As a parent, it’s understandable that its hard to meet teachers who say your child’s progress is slow, or your child is under performing. A worse feeling is opening out that file to see paltry grades and very unsatisfactory comments.

Difficult as it may be, it is on you, the parents, to resort to methods to curb the downward spiral and restore confidence in your child. A positive mindset and renewed confidence will eventually lead to an upward trend in grades, unless there’s a diagnosis of a specific learning disability.

Disinterest in attending school

Disinterest in attending school

Most children love going to school; it’s not because they love to study most often, but the opportunity to interact with friends and enjoy moments of happiness and smiles.  A sudden disinterest in attending school could be due to a myriad of reasons; some of which are learning struggles, bullying, harsh teachers and many more. If you do notice a pattern of your child playing truant, it is a good idea to have open and hearty conversation with them. Try to get to the bottom of it, failing which you will have to resort to other methods of extracting the information from your child; these other methods could be talking to the teachers or visiting a counsellor.

Low mood and Low confidence

Low mood and Low confidence

You know your child best, and it is rather important you keep watch on your child’s mood and behaviour throughout their life. If a bubbly and outgoing child suddenly seems low, and refuses to take on challenging tasks, you need to RISE UP. Talk to your child, look through their books and chat freely with them, you may be able to pick out the pointers they’re struggling with their school work. Early intervention is the best; so don’t feel bad or afraid to reach out to other parents who might offer tips, reach out to teachers and counselors and do try to get additional academic support for your child.  Sometimes, a one-on-one private tutor, who has been given the background of the child can approach the child in a way a parent cannot and will in the long term help him/her renew their confidence and self esteem.

Poor grades and short attention spans

Poor grades and short attention spans

This is one of the most tell-tale signs that your child is struggling.  A poor grade; or even a set of poor grades doesn’t mean you write off your child; but take note of it and approach it with an open mind. Arranging extra academic support helps fill knowledge gaps. Clearer one-on-one explanations and no distractions by way of other students and their chatter and queries helps a child who has shorter attention spans. Consulting a counsellor or educational therapist can further boost your child’s confidence and personality; because they’ll help guide your child how to curb the mind from being distracted, how to stay focused and most importantly how to remain confident through the ups and downs of life.

Every task seems an uphill battle

If you notice a sudden disinterest in your child’s life, he/she finds every task difficult, disinteresting or frustrating, you need to get to the bottom of this puzzle. Not all children would come to you with what’s troubling them, or why they’re feeling demotivated, so it’s on you to be vigilant. If homework is never a priority, exercise and sleep patterns go haywire, junk food becomes the go to; you need to seek help! It is very unlikely that a child in this frame of mind will reach out for help; or even open up, therefore reaching out to child psychologists, counsellors and therapists is the best way forward.

Seeking assistance is NOT taboo

Seeking assistance is NOT taboo

It is rather unfortunate that in a lot of societies, seeking help for mood related issues, or psychological distress or even behavioral problems is taboo. Seeking counselling or therapy is spoken of in hushed voices, behind pseudo terms, or never approached at all!

As a parent; sit down and reflect on the overwhelming situations you faced when you were a child. How does it feel in retrospect? Now that you’re older  and passed that stage, don’t you wish you had someone you could have spoken your heart out to?  Someone who wouldn’t have judged,demeaned or ridiculed  you?

That’s what your child needs too. And in the current society there are plenty of therapists and counselors, so please for the  betterment of your child go seek help!

Therapists and counselors can change how a child views themselves, and this positive mindset will gently nudge the child in the right direction for everything in life, academics included.

It's never the end of the road; there's always a tomorrow

It’s never the end of the road; there’s always a tomorrow

With this statement in mind, we’ll conclude with the points in summary so you can get your child out of the rut and back on the road again.

  1. Learning style mismatch; if the school teacher isn’t the right fit, find a private tutor who will align with your child.
  2. Concepts they may have not understood in school can also be fixed by finding a private tutor who will re-explain such concepts.
  3. Overwhelmed by the workload in school and unable to keep up can also be sorted by a private tutor.
  4. Negative peer pressure, problems with teachers, family strife can all cause a drop in mood and confidence, therapists and counselors can assist here.
  5. Procrastinating, poor time management and short attention spans lead to confusion and chaos. Teach the child how to manage tasks, set schedules and study effectively.
  6. Love, attention and validation from parents plays a role much larger than anything else.ย  Don’t compromise on recognising and supporting their efforts, and be their biggest cheerleader ever! You wouldn’t understand how much of an impact that has on your child.

Conclusion

Staying attuned to your child’s needs and providing timely assistance,  can help them overcome their challenges and achieve their full potential. A positive parenting approach is seeking extra help, never for a moment thinking that it is a sign of failure, but a proactive step towards ensuring your childโ€™s academic and personal growth. Organising tutoring, or addressing behavioural concerns through therapists,or helping them sort their academics the right support can make a significant difference to your childโ€™s educational journey.