Daily Tips for Families

Today's Tip for Families

05-11-2022

Treat Report Cards as Communication Tools

When asked to recall a stressful time from their childhoods, many adults cite report card time. They remember their parents yelling. They remember feeling like a failure. And they recall being punished.

But it doesn't have to be this way. To keep report cards from being a source of stress and strife:

Don't be surprised. Talk with your child about how schoolwork is going throughout each grading period. Review your student's work, and contact the teacher if you have concerns.
Calmly discuss each grade. Do they reflect what your child has learned? What does your child think?
Remember that report cards show what has already happened. The past can't be changed, but it can be learned from.
Look for positives. Don't just focus on the problem areas. Be sure to compliment a raised grade or a teacher's comment about how hard your child is working.
Focus on the future. Use a poor grade as a platform for change.
Write up a plan. What does your student plan to do to maintain good grades or improve poor ones? Consider asking the teacher for ideas.
Put report cards in perspective. They measure how students are doing in school. But they don't measure your child's worth as an individual. Nor do they judge your success as a parent.

Brought to you by:

Webster County Schools

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