A Parent’s Guide to Staying Involved Before Report Cards Hit
Do you wait for report cards to find out how your child is doing in school? While report cards are a natural school milestone, they are only one of the many ways to check in on your child’s school progress.
In fact, by checking in on school progress more often and by being regularly engaged and informed, you can reduce the stress of waiting for the report card and even increase your child’s school performance.
Don’t Wait—Stay Involved Before Report Card Time
Report cards are typically upheld as the ultimate indicator of school performance. However, report cards don’t always paint the full picture. Moreover, waiting for report cards to come home to check in on school progress can prevent you from dealing with possible problems that could be addressed right now.
Instead of relying only on report cards to track your child’s progress, check in regularly with your child’s school performance. Talk to teachers regularly to better understand how your child is doing. Follow up on homework assignments and ask to see tests and essays after they are returned to students. And be sure to watch for these signs that your child might be having school issues.
Signs Your Child Might Be Struggling
Children don’t always come out and say that they are having trouble in school. But, there are often clues that something might be amiss. Watch out for these telltale indicators and take action as soon as you suspect something might be amiss.
- Declining grades. A sudden drop in grades or consistently poor performance in specific subjects indicates that your child may struggle.
- Changes in behaviour. If your child’s behaviour at home or school has changed, such as increased irritability, withdrawal, or reluctance to attend school, it could be a sign of underlying problems.
- Lack of interest. Loss of interest in school, extracurricular activities, or hobbies they once enjoyed may suggest academic difficulties.
The Importance of Regular Check-Ins Before Report Cards
Staying involved beyond report cards helps parents and students address any school issues before they become bigger and avoid unpleasant report card surprises.
Five Tips to Stay Regularly Involved :
If you notice these signs from above before report card time, it’s essential to take action. Here’s how you can stay involved before report cards.
1. Have open communication with your child. Talk to your child about their feelings, concerns, and struggles. Create a safe and non-judgmental space for them to share their thoughts. Check out these questions to ask your child about their day.
2. Meet with their teachers. Schedule meetings with your child’s teachers to discuss their performance and seek their input on how to help your child improve.
3. Get tutoring or extra help before problems escalate. Consider tutoring for your child to address specific academic challenges. Tutoring helps your child to stay on track before they start to slip.
4. Establish a routine at home. Help your child establish a consistent study routine at home, including dedicated homework and study time.
5. Encourage a growth mindset in your child. Teach your child that mistakes are a part of learning and that they can improve with effort and persistence.
Three Reasons Regular Check-ins Are Essential:
1. Timely Intervention
Have frequent and open communication with your child’s teachers. An open line of communication with your child’s teacher will let you know if they struggle in any subject areas. This allows for timely interventions and prevents problems from snowballing.
2. Reinforce Positive Habits
Consistent check-ins allow you to celebrate your child’s successes and encourage them to maintain good habits. This positive reinforcement can boost their self-esteem and motivation. Celebrating successes on homework assignments completion or tests will motivate your child to continue working hard. Learn how to use positive reinforcement with kids here.
3. Healthy Parent-Child Relationship
Engaging in your child’s education creates a stronger bond between you and your child. It demonstrates your interest in their well-being and sets the stage for open communication. By having a healthy parent-child relationship, your child will be more open to discussing difficulties that they are having at school. Meaning that you can work together before they become a bigger problem.
Waiting for report cards doesn’t have to be the primary way to gauge your child’s school performance. You can ensure they succeed in school by staying involved, noticing when your child is struggling, and giving them the help they need when they need it.
Commit to regular check-ins and active involvement in your child’s education. Watch their confidence and academic achievement soar.
Stay In the Loop With Oxford Learning!
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