How Should Parents Handle a Bad Report Card?
BY ADMIN PUBLISHED May 1, 2018, UPDATED January 18, 2023
Parents reaction to a bad report card is often the wrong one. A heated response can have dire consequences for the child, including but not limited to demotivating the child and harming his/ her confidence. Below are a few things parents should keep in mind while reading a report card:
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Practice patience
Most children with bad grades already feel upset about their work. As a parent, you must approach the discussion with calm perspective. There is nothing wrong with talking to your child in a polite manner.
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Discuss, don’t criticize
Try and understand how the grades have been weighed. The child may be facing some problems due to which he/ she has got bad grades. Parents should listen to their child and try to understand such issues before assuming things.
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Motivate the child
There is no point crying over spilled milk! In addition to discussing the report card, parents should also set future goals together with the child and formulate a strategy to achieve these goals. In this way, parents and children can focus on the future rather than the past. This in turn motivates
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Appreciate good grades
A report card can be very frightening for some children. Focusing on good grades instead of one bad grade can help motivate and inspire the child. For example, you could say, “I noticed you did well in Math! That’s great!”
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Think proficiency, not perfection
Parents and children should plan for the future together in such a way as to maximize success and minimize distractions. Sometimes children struggle with their school work and require extra help. Private tuitions or group sessions can be very helpful to bring the child up to speed.
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Meet with the teacher concerned
It would be helpful for parents and children to meet with the teacher of the concerned subject to identify areas of concern and formulate a satisfactory plan to deal with such concerns.
*This article is contributed by Ms. Akanksha Vashisth, PGT Psychology.
