4 Issues to Address to Improve Your Child’s School Performance

There is probably no worry as great as the one we have if our children are having difficulty in school. Most likely all of us get upset if our child’s name is on the board or we get a call from the teacher. In most cases, this is just “kids being kids.”

On the other hand, there are children whose parents have daily calls from the teachers, who are sent to the office once or twice a week, and who are even suspended when they are kindergarten or first graders. One girl I was aware of threw a water bottle at the teacher in third grade and hit the principal in the fourth grade. Wow, what behavior from such a tiny child.

These children are clearly not “average” and need thoughtfully crafted interventions.

There are several reasons why children may act this way in school.

First, the child is having some difficulty academically. While teachers are often accurate evaluators of their students’ academic skills, they can often be in error. So, if your child presents continuing signs of difficulty, request, in writing, a special education evaluation. These assessments are free and should be completed in about 50 days of your request.

Second, if the child has adequate academic skills, several issues need to be considered.

1 – Does the child have good academics but poor classroom performance?

If so, this may be an indicator of your child’s low confidence in their academic skills. This can be improved by getting your child academically ahead of the class (so they know the answer already). Or, by making sure that all homework is done and the child has been prepared for the coming day.

From third grade on, be very aware that poor spelling or writing skills can be the primary culprit. By middle and junior high school levels, poor spelling or writing skills are the primary causes why children stop doing homework and start dropping out. Work to build a strong, basic writing vocabulary and teach how to write a three or four sentence paragraph. If a child can connect three or four paragraphs (of three or four sentences apiece), then they most likely can pass all high school exams (and maybe even the bar for lawyers).

2 – Are they not doing class work or homework?

If so, then they need help with getting homework done, checked and prepared for return to the teacher. For class work, consider a study buddy (a good kid that doesn’t mess around too much) who may be able to prompt your child to get it done.

3 – Are they not turning in homework?

If so, then work out a reward system that rewards turning in homework to get them over their academic doubts.

4 – Are they acting out at school?

If so, first identify what time this behavior occurs. Early morning behavior usually indicates academic doubts or weaknesses, while afternoon behavior suggests tiredness or hunger. Difficulties at recess or lunch usually suggest peer teasing or difficulty making friends.

Daily report cards, if crafted correctly, are great for eliminating acting out behaviors during the school day. Recess and lunch problems are best corrected by teaching appropriate social skills to stop or heavily reduce teasing. A good therapist that understands schools can really help on this last step.