Every child goes through a difficult academic time. It could be that they
are having issues adjusting to a new school or a new grade, perhaps they
are having personal or social problems or maybe they don’t get on
well with their teacher. With so many factors playing a role in academic
performance, you need to carefully weigh the situation to determine whether
your student needs help.
Cause and effect
Always keep a close eye on your student’s grades and keep in regular
contact with their teachers. If you or your teacher notices a change in
academic performance act quickly. Nipping problems in the bud will make
them so much easier to deal with.
Sit down with your student and their teacher to ascertain what the problem
is. Everyone has a bad test or a poor assignment score from time to time
and one poor grade does not a disaster make. If your student got a bad
grade, ask them what went wrong and how they can remedy the situation
in the future. Two bad grades on consecutive tests or papers means that
there is possibly a miscommunication. Go through the paper with your student
to ascertain exactly what went wrong and discuss how to fix it.
If the academic problems persist, it may be time to look at the bigger picture.
Causes of poor academic performance
Speak with your student to find out exactly how much time they devote to
study and what else if going on in their lives. Poor academic performance
can be the result of several factors:
- Too many sports/after school activities
- Health issues
- Social problems or bullying
- Personal or family problems
- Learning disabilities
- Poor diet
- Poor relationship with a teacher
- Gaps in academic knowledge or skill
Resolutions
Only once you have clearly established the cause of academic discord can
you work on a solution. Include your student in any discussions about
their future or about possible solutions to the problems they are having.
Inclusive practices make it more likely that they will participate in
the proposed solutions.
If your students don’t have extraneous reasons for poor academic
performances, it may be time to get an in-home tutor. One-on-one tutoring
is the very best way to get your student’s academic performance
back on track. Tutors are able to establish gaps in your student’s
knowledge or skill set and can pinpoint issues that need the most attention.
Tutors can also present information in ways that suit your child’s
learning style so that they are able to understand the work better.
Tutors can help your students to study for exams and to complete homework
and assignments on time. Tutors are experts at study methods and they
can help your students to study in an effective and efficient way.
Tutors work with your students on an individual level, so there is no anxiety
about answering or asking questions. As they get back on track, their
confidence grows and the anxiety they feel at school will be reduced.
