There is often an expectation – whether spoken or implied – that students will earn good grades in school. Many students hold themselves to high standards because they want to make themselves and their parents proud. But sometimes grades come home that are lower than expected or anticipated. There can be many reasons for this, and it is important not to jump to conclusions. Being proactive and addressing potential problems early on can empower your child to be more successful moving forward.

Approach the issue with empathy. Children are often more receptive when you talk through a problem calmly, rather than yelling. Instead of saying, “You got a bad grade on this,” try saying something like, “I noticed that your grade on this was lower than normal.” Give them a chance to explain, and express concern rather than anger. Remember that no one is perfect, and everyone makes mistakes. School is for learning.

Talk through the problem. Ask your child why they think their grade wasn’t as high as expected. There could be a multitude of factors that contributed to their performance, such as:

  • They were having a bad day or weren’t feeling well.
  • They didn’t understand the instructions.
  • They are struggling to understand the concept/skill that was being tested.
  • They weren’t as prepared as they thought.
  • They have trouble managing their time and prioritizing tasks.
  • They made a calculation error or simple mistake and didn’t check their work.

Keep open lines of communication so your child feels comfortable telling you when they are having trouble in class or don’t feel as though they did their best work. One bad grade isn’t generally something to be too concerned about, but if it becomes more frequent, there is probably an underlying issue that needs to be addressed.

Come up with solutions. What can your child do to improve their grade moving forward? Work together to come up with ideas, letting them lead the way with changes they think they should make. This could be things like:

  • Developing a more structured schedule for completing homework and studying.
  • Creating a quiet space free from distractions where they can work.
  • Cutting back on obligations outside of school so they have more time to focus on their schoolwork.
  • Encouraging them to speak up in class or talk to their teacher if they have questions or do not understand an assignment.
  • Building more effective study skills or executive functioning skills.
  • Working with a tutor on subjects they are struggling in.

Crafting Scholars offers individualized programs tailored to each student’s needs and goals to help them maximize their potential. We work with your child to understand their strengths, learning style, and areas for improvement in order to present information in a way that makes sense and close any gaps. From content area tutoring and test prep to study skills and writing mechanics, we can help. Contact Crafting Scholars today to get started!