Report Cards Do Not Measure Life Success
Primary, middle and high school students received their report cards. So what do report cards mean to parents and how should they behave in this process? Prof. Dr. Dilek Şirvanlı Özen from Altınbaş University explained.
Another term has come to an end, and students have received their first-term report cards. Altınbaş University's Faculty Member Prof. Dr. Dilek Şirvanlı Özen warned about this process.
Prof. Dr. Dilek Şirvanlı Özen, emphasizing the significant role of the report card in developing a child's thoughts about themselves and forming their "self," addressed parents.
Reminding that the report card is a feedback source for both the child and parents, Prof. Dr. Dilek Şirvanlı Özen believes that what matters is how this feedback is received, evaluated, and how the response is given.
Stressing that approaching the report card process healthily, creating a positive learning environment for children, and most importantly, supporting children are the responsibilities of parents, Prof. Dr. Özen said, "It is the school and teachers who will evaluate their grades. You are the parents of your child, not their teacher."
Emphasizing that a child's report card grades indicate their academic success, Özen said, "Grades do not show life success, but report card grades also indicate their situation and development in the learning process. That's why you can positively influence your child's learning experience by supporting them."
On the report card day, Özen, pointing out that a positive and supportive attitude should be shown first and foremost, listed her recommendations under 8 main headings:
- Be Positive and Supportive:
Regardless of your child's report card grades, it is essential for your first reaction to be positive and supportive. Even if they have low grades, they must have successful subjects. Congratulate them for their achievements and appreciate their efforts.
- Communicate:
Initiate an open conversation with your child about their report card grades. Try to understand their feelings and focus on their successes. A positive approach in communication plays an important role in increasing your child's self-confidence.
- Set Future Goals:
Together with your child, determine the goals they want to achieve in the upcoming term. These goals can motivate them and help them focus on self-improvement.
- Especially Emphasize Achievements:
Even if your child's report card grades are low, highlight the achievements they have made. Help them perceive the successful subjects and understand how they achieved this success.
- Offer Support if Desired:
Express that you want to support your child in overcoming educational challenges and ask how you can help. Knowing that they won't be alone in this process can have a positive impact on your child's learning and achieving process.
- Avoid Criticism:
A critical approach will not provide a positive gain and will damage your child's self-esteem. Instead of being accusatory in case of failure, try to understand why your child failed and work together to find solutions.
- Create Realistic Expectations:
Every child is unique and progresses at their own pace; keep this in mind. Assess your child's capacity and skills well, and create realistic expectations based on this.
- Try to Understand Each Other:
Try to understand your child's feelings. Be sure that they wouldn't want to get low grades either. You can overcome the disappointment they are experiencing by providing emotional support.