Students of all ages and academic backgrounds can find themselves struggling with bad grades from time to time. This poor performance could be due to a number of factors — from changes in a child’s personal or family life to a simple lack of motivation in the classroom.
Getting a bad grade on a report card can leave a child feeling particularly frustrated. But rather than focusing on the negatives, it’s important to identify the problem and take steps to fix it.
Learn more about what to do about bad grades and how to get your child back on track.
Why Is My Child Getting Bad Grades?
If your child is experiencing bad grades, the most important step is to ask yourself why and take proactive steps to correct the issues. Sit down with your child and talk openly to find out what is going on. It’s also a good idea to talk to your child’s teacher about how he or she is performing in the classroom and any problem areas.
The first step is to identify what factor or factors may be leading to the bad grades. Questions to address might include:
- Is my child facing challenges in the classroom?
- Is my child performing poorly because he or she doesn’t understand the subject?
- Is my child performing poorly because he or she is bored or unchallenged?
- Is my child being bullied?
- Is my child having trouble focusing or concentrating in the classroom?
- Is my child facing any mental and/or physical problems?
- Are extracurriculars or other activities taking up too much of my child’s time?
- Is home life interfering with my child’s ability to study and organize his/her time?
- Does my child need more attention in the classroom than he or she is getting?
The Effects Of Poor Grades
It’s important to identify and address the issues that may be leading to your child’s bad grades, especially since bad grades can lead to a number of other problems. These range from feelings of worthlessness and depression, to lack of motivation in other areas of life – even ones in which your child previously excelled.
Academic issues can continue to worsen if you do not take steps to help your child identify and fix his or her grade problem. Without addressing what is causing the issue, your child may continue to perform poorly. This can cause him or her to develop a strong dislike for school, leading to problems in class and at home. Your child may eventually completely withdraw from school work because he or she doesn’t think he or she can succeed. This can lead to a lot of missed opportunities and untapped potential.
Ready to master report cards? Learn everything you need to know here!
My Child’s Grades Are Bad… What Do I Do?
So, what can you do if your child is struggling in school? These tips will help you get your child on the path to better grades.
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Talk to the teacher
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Talking to your child’s teacher can give you insight to his or her performance inside the classroom. Your child’s teacher can give you more information about where he or she needs improvement. This can help you identify problems that you otherwise might be unaware of.
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Allow time to relax
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Poor school performance can lead to additional stress for your child, turning into a vicious cycle of poor grades, frustration, and lack of motivation. Create a schedule that includes time for school work as well as structured breaks so your child can recharge his or her mind.
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Examine your expectations
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A bad grade can mean different things to different people. If your child is usually a high achiever who came home with one bad grade, talk to him or her about it. If your child is a consistently low performer, it could be time to look for additional help.
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Set new goals
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Encourage your child to set goals to improve his or her performance. Start by setting smaller, achievable goals you child can work toward. Little by little, these goals will help your child perform better in school.
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Ask your child questions
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Talk to your child about what is going on at school. Ask him or her about what he or she likes and doesn’t like about school, which subjects are his or her favorite and least favorite, and if he or she has any problems in the classroom.
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Adopt a positive attitude
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A poor grade can leave your child feeling frustrated and defeated — feelings that can set him or her up for failure again if not addressed. Try to adopt a positive attitude, helping him or her find opportunities for improvement and talking about how to make them happen.
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Create an action plan
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Once you have identified the problem areas, make a plan with your child for how to improve these areas. Help your child write out what the problem is, how it can be solved, and what action steps he or she can take.
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Hire a tutor
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If your child needs additional help understanding a subject or developing better study skills, hiring a tutor help. A tutor can give your child the extra attention he or she needs to break down difficult concepts and develop the skills needed to succeed.
If your child needs additional help understanding a subject or developing better study skills, hiring a tutor help. A tutor can give your child the extra attention he or she needs to break down difficult concepts and develop the skills needed to succeed.
If your child is struggling in school, GradePower Learning can help. Learn more about our tutoring programs and find a location near you today!
