It’s the end of another busy school year and our students are settling into a well-deserved break. But beneath all the excitement of summer holidays lurks the bi-annual report card anxiety.
As parents and carers, we might look forward to seeing where our children have improved since their mid-year reports and see what they need to focus on next year. Others of us dread reports because we have seen the same comments year after year and feel at a loss as to how to change them. Sometimes it seems as though conversations with our children about talking less in class, doing their homework, or participating more in class discussions are falling on deaf ears.
Reports are a useful communicative tool between teachers and caregivers, and are an excellent guide for measuring a student’s progress and working out the most effective ways to support their learning.
Here are a few tips for tackling report card conversations:
- Praise Progress
Start discussions with a note of encouragement. Congratulate your child on completing the year and giving it their best shot. Recognise their achievements, whether or not they received any awards.
- Effort Counts
Grades are important but so is a child’s attitude towards their classes. Outside the classroom, life-long learning happens though fostering curiosity and engagement with areas of interest, which isn’t so easily measurable. Encourage their efforts and nurture their passions.
- Notice Likes and Dislikes
What patterns do you notice between effort and grades? Does your child love Maths and excel easily? Do they invest significant effort but don’t achieve the marks they were striving for? Are they apathetic towards any subjects? Understanding the student’s likes and dislikes allows you to extend their knowledge of that subject, as well as use examples from the subjects they enjoy to increase the relatability of more challenging subjects.
- Build Relationships
Ask your child to assess their teacher’s comments. Do they agree or disagree? Can they identify areas where they want assistance or specific changes they need to make? Let them know you care about them as a person as well as a student and use these reflective conversations to encourage the student to suggest solutions.
“We’ve had the talk. Now what?”
- Do you want to challenge your child to expand their skills in their favourite subject?
- Does your child need help to develop the self-confidence to conquer challenging content?
- Do they need assistance with study skills or motivation?
Nepean Tutoring boasts an extensive team of tutors experienced in primary, high school and tertiary coaching. Spaces for 2020 are filling up fast, so now is the time to contact us to see how we can help you and your child to achieve their learning goals.
If you would like a tutor to commence in the summer holidays, simply let us know and we’ll match you with the best tutor for your requirements.
If you have any questions, please contact us and we would love to have a chat.