Is there a point where parents give up trying to have their children become A-students? Does an average report card ceased to raise parent’s antennas at a certain point. I am not referring necessarily to making all A’s but performing on a consistent level where the top grade is regularly in play. What plays into that sort of acceptance that a child should not be pushed to strive for excellent grades? And at what point do parents accept that their children’s best efforts are but average and therefore acceptable?
In elementary school many students make better grades because they were prepared well before they are scheduled for enrollment. Many of them are reading writing and performing other cognitive skills ahead of their class and maybe a grade level or so above their class. Most of these students continue to pursue excellent grades because their early efforts are encouraged and rewarded with affections, gifts, and privileges. But these children are not immune to a drop in performance due to various circumstances e.g., boredom.
And what of those children who do not have the early success? No not those who are just ill-prepared for school, but who are average or above in terms of their grades. Students with the ability to learn but because their habits, studying, and testing techniques are not as well developed, they perform below the 90-100 percentile. Perhaps if they are encouraged and their techniques mature, they may be able to regularly compete for A’s. Many of these children may know that they can perform better but do not have the expectation nor the drive within themselves. A little parental encouragement may be all children need to give that extra effort that puts them over the top.
Of course, it is not realistic to expect children to make all A’s all the time. Neither is the point to be unreasonably hard or hypercritical of children who do not make A’s. There are endless situations and circumstances that arise in the raising and education of children that may negatively impact their academic performance. We do not want children to ever think that passing is the only thing that matters and striding for A’s is not worth the effort. We don’t want children somehow to stop believing in their abilities and turn from an attainable goal because they feel it is on a level that they somehow can’t achieve.
In most cases parents should continue encouraging their children to try to make A’s whenever and wherever possible. Especially in classes where they have previously performed at this level. Parents should always communicate their expectation of excellence to their children. They should not grow tired or fatigue of this type of encouragement despite the age or actual performance results of their children. Sometimes children just need to know that parents are paying attention, and that they truly care and believe in their abilities. Written by Mister Wilson-Astoryplus children’s books blog… https://www.astoryplus.com
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