Learning Center
Education insight for parents
What’s the report?
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Here’s what you need to know – whether the grades are good or not-so-good
eport cards … A time for high-fives or a time to set new goals? Either way, it’s a time to pause, reflect and perhaps re-set. It’s important to note that the move to virtual, or some form of hybrid schooling, for most schools this past year created significant changes to classroom management. You can also expect to see some changes in how your child was scored. Although times are tumultuous, and there’s likely been a lot of change in what your child’s education has looked like this year, we need to continue to put forth positive thoughts around learning for kids. Your child has worked hard to reach this point
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of the school year, so let him or to lower your expectations as a parent. If your sense is that your her know that you appreciate child isn’t where they should be, their effort but that continued learning is necessary to help keep don’t be afraid to ask the teacher or outside services to confirm up the momentum. whether your child is Report cards this year truly learning what may not give you the they’ll need to know by full picture of how for next year. A your child would response that have performed amounts to “We’ll in normal circumtake care of that stances, and more next year” should importantly, of your give you pause, and child’s full potential. it may strongly suggest This is a time to allow for that you need to do somegrace and understanding. It is thing additional this year (or likewise a time for you to trust over the summer). your own parenting instincts. Set expectations and goals. Expectations have, in some instances, been lowered to address It’s also important to balance the reality of virtual learning. understanding the struggles of That doesn’t mean that you need this year with being firm about your expectations. Make sure your child knows there will be a real conversation about schoolwork on a regular basis (every evening if there seems to be a problem, perhaps weekly if things seem to be going OK).
Patrick McNamara
2021
Ages 3-12
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Setting both short-term goals throughout the quarter and long-term goals for the quarter or end of the school year will help those conversations. Helping your child stay focused on goals can help to motivate him or her, but remember to praise your child in other areas that
Those conversations can start with “How was today/this week at school?” but they also need some directed questions and online check-ins. The following are all questions that can lead to an actual conversation about your child’s schoolwork: • How are you tracking progress to your goal? • What is the hardest part of your day/week? • Who is your favorite/least favorite teacher, and why do you like/dislike them? • Why do you think you did well/poorly on the test? • What is the most challenging piece of schoolwork scheduled for tomorrow/this week? At first, you might get oneword answers or rolled eyes, but if those conversations become part of your family’s routine, and you approach the discussion positively as an expression of real interest to help and not just an introduction to criticism, you will find that more than occasionally your child will open up
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4 Family Now — March 2021
are going well. Positive motivation from parents is a great way to build your child’s self-esteem and can lead to successful grades down the road.
GENERATIONS TOGETHER
