10 parent tips for better grades

1. Don't scold, comfort instead: With a lousy grade, the child already knows that they performed poorly. Pride and self-esteem are hurt.

2. The child's own assessment counts: If the student is satisfied with a "3", they will be hard to motivate to work toward a "2".

3. If the child is unhappy about the grade, parents and child should look together for the causes, without judging or condemning. Is the child overwhelmed? Did they fall behind? Did they practice too little? Did they have a bad day?

4. Personally responsible: Shifting the blame for the poor grade onto others doesn't count. The child must take responsibility so they can climb out of the "grade slump" on their own.

5. How can things improve? What does the child suggest? Examples might be: getting a vocabulary box, practicing math twice a week in addition, or organizing tutoring.

6. Set and monitor fixed practice times: This may be necessary if the child doesn't get going on their own.

7. A crash landing can be attempted depending on personality type. Maybe it will wake the child up

8. B reak big goals down, break into individual steps and check successes. The child thus finds out whether they are on the right track with their strategy.

9. Praise and rewards should not only be given for the results, but also for the path and the effort: "Great that you started learning on your own today".

10. Grades are not everything: Efforts and achievements in sports or music also count and strengthen self-esteem.