Excellent Grades- 5 Ways To Ease  Parental Pressure On Children

It is a bubble of happiness and an ooze of pride in some cases when children perform exceedingly well academically awarding them straight A’s or any score remotely close. Such displays are expected, more so reasonable, especially from parents and teachers.

To the parent, it is value for money to wit that they are getting the worth of the fees being paid. The teacher may conclude with satisfaction that they executed their basic duties as teachers. And for the child a feeling of achievement, hopeful to receive a gift for performing well in school.

Though barely mentioned, this typically is the triangular relationship between parents, teachers and students. Parents may not immediately mount pressure on children to bring home an almost perfect grade. Teachers may also not necessarily resonate with these same words yet children old enough to understand the dynamics of excellent grades and their link to a better future know they ought to.

Arguably, the level of one’s formal education is a determinant of their future. The very reason for the unabating mention of how you ought to go to school, take your studies seriously, graduate, get a well-paying job so you become a responsible member of society.

 Even getting into top-notched colleges requires students to score remarkable grades hence it is not surprising to see parents keen on resorting to whatever tactics to make sure children see this, even if it means pressuring them.

It is prudent to say most parents want their children to clock success in every aspect of their lives. Admittedly, sometimes this pressure creates diamonds. It builds a sense of competition between children in a way that encourages them to work harder to achieve their goals.

Again, the pressure to get good grades enhances work ethics when children know they have to constantly work harder to either improve or at least maintain the status quo. Also, the pressure in a way sets a good precedent for the future when children come to terms with the fact that having good grades is something worth striving for.

In as much as these may be the reasons why a parent may push their child to get the best grades, the interpretation of this motive may differ for children. They may feel overwhelmed when all of these are in play.

Perhaps, what we should be seeking out are the ideal channels and subtle means to get this message across to children. Here are a few pointers to make it less intense.

Set a Scope of Achievement– Imperatively, parents and teachers must set high but realistic expectations for children. An E student cannot miraculously move to an A overnight except in rare cases. Parents need to make their expectations clear and should not exclude children in this process. There should be an understandable definition of what parents expect from their children. This will give room for children to voice out their capabilities and how best they can perform given the target set for them. By doing this, children are in the know of what is expected of them and will possibly work towards achieving it.

Focus on  Efforts– Children are more likely to feel appreciated and seen when parents and teachers are quick to notice even the least positive strides in them. When parents tend to pin way too much on the results and not the journey the child may have covered to get that result, it can potentially dampen the spirit of the child— children feel supported when they feel they are understood.

Lead by Example– Most children worship their parents. They are their idols and many of them wish to be like them when they grow. Maybe it is about time parents desist from emphasizing how they always came top of their class when they were their age. Children should know a parent is doing this job or that one because they had good grades or they didn’t. This can equally paint a clearer picture, making them realize what they do now will either affect them negatively or positively.

The Reward System- It is reasonable for parents and teachers to expect children to want good grades because of its key relevance. Sometimes, a child may feel motivated to do his ultimate best if there is a prize to be won at the end of the day. The best part is, this system will not be forever. It fizzles out with time when the child himself finally understand the need to do well in school

Constructive Comparison– Every child is different with a specific pace at which they absorb knowledge. Comparing your child to another person insensitively is one of the fastest ways to damage their self-esteem. A parent may use another child who has done better as a yardstick or a point of inference only to motivate their child. More like, if this person has done it, there are chances you can equally do it and even better and not to make them feel intimidated and dumb.

Whiles deliberate or subtle pressure may work for some children, it may not be as effective on others. With proper channels and the right encouragement, children will love to earn better or excellent grades because they understand its relevance.

It is just a matter of finding out what works for you and your child.