| |
| |
|
Parenting Information |
|
|
|
Parenting Your Teenager: 6 Tips for Dealing with Bad Report Cards
One of the basic issues we need to understand is that parents and teens view school very differently. This is important because often we believe that our kids look at school the same way we do. In many cases, nothing could be further from the truth. For parents, we work and want to do well in our jobs. So we think because our kids don't work full time or at all, then school is their full-time job, and they should want to excel. For teens, as well as many younger kids, school is their social world interrupted by six to seven classes a day. This different view is the cause for many dinner-table squabbles. Every now and then, as parents describe the problems with grades, they will say, "We got a D in that class." I've thought of many responses to that statement, most of which I don't share. What I do say is, "Excuse me, who is this we? Do you go to class or does your child?" The point is that at some time - the earlier the better - school must become more important to your child than it is to you. Having laid out these two basic principles, let's look at some solutions for handling a less than exciting report card. 1) You'll want to meet with the teacher of a class in which your child has done poorly. You should ask the teacher: What he thinks might be in the way of your child doing well in this subject; does she think your child has the tools to do well in this class; how are other kids of equal ability doing in this class; what does he recommend your child (notice, not we) do to improve in this class? 2) Learn how to read a report card. There is much more information there than just grades. There's also conduct and attendance to check out. Look for patterns. If your kid got a good grade and great conduct in one class and poor grades and bad conduct in another, take a look at what the differences are between those two classes. Obviously, the child has the ability in one class. What's in the way in the other? 3) Often kids will blame the teacher. "She doesn't like me!" This is an opportunity to teach real-world living in which not all people, bosses included, are going to like you. At the same time, you still need to know how to do well in a situation, even when there are people who don't like you. 4) Here's a little trick of the trade: Determine which class comes right before your child's lunch period. If grades, attendance and conduct are significantly different after lunch than before, the next question is what's happening at lunch that is getting in the way? 5) Make two copies of your child's report card _ one for you and one for your child. Draw a horizontal line to the right of each letter grade. Next to the end of that line, write the next letter grade up. For example, if the grade is an F, write a D. If it's a D, write a C, and so on. These one-step-up grades are the goals for the next grading period. This may sound like settling for less, but it really is not. It gives your child a manageable goal to reach. Over a couple of grading periods, this strategy can move low grades to high grades. If they go higher than the goal, then that's a good thing. If they go lower than the goal, it's time for some consequences. 6) It's been my experience that grounding a kid for the entire grading period is in most cases counterproductive. For adults, nine weeks is not that long. For kids, however, it's forever, and you get rapidly diminishing returns. Instead, start with strong consequences, and then as effort, behavior and grades improve, let the rope out a little at a time, just enough for them to grow themselves. It's also useful to link grades to something that is important to them. As one father said to me last year, "In our family, Ds don't drive." For more leading edge tips and tools for back to school success, you are invited to visit parenting coach Jeff Herring's BacktoSchoolSuccess.com
MORE RESOURCES:
Parenting - Google News |
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
A Chance for a Home "He is happiest, be he king or peasant, who finds peace in his home." - Johann von GoetheHome. Spanking Children ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Results of the Spanking Poll on Rexanne.com: Voters - 233Percentage of readers who do not spank their children: 37%Percentage of readers who spank their children: 62%~~~~~~~~~~~~~~I am completely opposed to spanking. Parenting Failure? It May Not Be All It Seems! I'll never forget my first lesson in a glider.I'd been interested in gliding, or soaring as it's known inthe USA, for some time - and now the big day had arrived. Committed Parenting When you think about it, probably the one thing that our children need most in order to grow up feeling loved, happy, and empowered enough to give of themselves to others is our commitment to them as parents. Our children must know that we have made a commitment to them and we must demonstrate that commitment constantly. Parenting Secrets Revealed So your little Susie wants to join a competitive gymnastic club? You conclude that this is going to be great fun! Maybe, you even think this is just the ticket your bouncy little girl needs to get rid of her pent-up energy while meeting other little friends. Initially, all seems well as you proudly watch your Susie happily striving to achieve equilibrium success. Parenting Your Teenager: How to End the Curfew Battle Q. Things have been relatively calm and OK with our 16-year-old son so far. Parents Dealing with Worry and Fear Dear Vijay,I worry about not being a good parent. My daughter Tracy is six and my son Michael is four. EEG Biofeedback Training as a Treatment Option for ADHD The popularity of EEG Biofeedback Training continues to grow both in the USA and around the world. Many parents are searching for treatment options for ADHD other than medications, and as a results are exploring this high tech approach to treatment. March of the Penguins - A Fun Learnig Tool Everyone loves penguins. And now, everyone has a chance to see how penguins live in the highly entertaining documentary March of the Penguins. Whats in a Name? My cousin boasts five names and I confess that when I was younger that irritated me enormously. Worse than that, my sole middle name is Norman, just as my father's was before me, and his father before him. Parents Demand Dumbed-down Tests:An Unintended Bad Consequence of the No Child Left Behind Act The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 is making the problem of cheating, low academic standards, and public schools lying to parents, even worse. Under this Act, the Department of Education now requires students to pass standardized tests. Should We Apologize To Our Children? An apology is a sign of strength, not weakness. Sometimes we may believe that if we apologize to our children we weaken ourselves and the rules we are trying to keep. How Effective Is EEG Neurofeedback Training in Treating the Symptoms of ADHD? Many research studies have shown the overall effectiveness of stimulant medication, such as Ritalin and Dexedrine in their various forms, in treating the symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorders in children, teens, and adults. Even though stimulants are not the only effective option in the treatment of the disorder, stimulants may be a good choice, and their use should be discussed with your physician. How to Create an Attitude of Cooperation Having been a parent educator and a PBS consultant for Ready to Learn for many years, I have had the unique opportunity to work with Head Start families, Child Care Providers, and parents as well as schools, organizations, and teachers all over the world just like you.YES YOU ARE A TEACHER. Secret Of Your Genuis Child Here is a top secret to make your child genius or ot recognise his geniusness, it is as followsGraphology for Child development.:- Graphology is the science of understanding the human mind through person's handwriting. A Chart for Everything For every season, check, check, check,There is a chart, check, check, check, And a chart can replace some of your nagging. A chart for chores,A chart for grades. Responsible Fatherhood - A Unique And Irreplaceable Role! Something happened the other day that made me feel uneasy.Yet I shouldn't have felt that way!My wife had left for work and I was hanging the washing outto dry. 10 Things You Can Do To Help A Shy Child There are a few points about shyness in children which will help you better understand the best approach in dealing with your child. You will need to identify the nature of your child's shyness. Parenting Confidence - Who Needs It? It used to strike me as odd - but really, it makes perfectsense.If you are a regular flier, or have flown recently, you'llknow what I mean. New Mom...New Baby...New Debt? Ah, there is nothing like being an expectant mom. Along with your expanding waistline comes the ever growing list of products for you and your new bundle of joy.
|
| home | site map |
| © 2006 |
