Primary Schoolers Facing Underachievement

Primary Schoolers Facing Underachievement

• Children achieve in many ways.
• Some children:
  • speak well
  • can tell you about their thoughts and feelings
  • imagine well
  • solve problems
  • think things through
  • are very aware of other people and can work well in groups.
• Sometimes children seem very bright and can talk well but are not very good with numbers and logical thinking. Or they may read badly but be very good at sports. Try to focus on things children do well.
• Underachieving means a child isn't doing well in something they are normally good at.
• Below are some of the reasons children don't do well:
  • They're stressed because everyone expects them to do well.
  • They want to show they can make their own decisions.
  • They want to show they are different from their brothers or sisters.
  • They want to be accepted by friends.
  • They want to show they are like their friends.
  • They don't want to be teased.
  • They are distracted by family problems, friendships or another interest.
  • They find a new task difficult when usually they have found learning easy. It's hard for a child who is good at learning to suddenly have trouble with it.
  • They don't check their work.
  • The health and wellbeing of the child may be affected.
  • Feeling useless in some areas often makes them feel they are not good at anything.
• When a child is not performing well in an area they are not good at, they may be working to their best ability. This is not underachieving. Focus on the things the child is good at.
• This doesn't mean the child won't improve. They will, even though it will be hard work sometimes. Children learn that when they make an effort and work on something successfully they'll feel good. This is excellent for their self esteem.
• Sometimes children can learn by using skills they have in another area. For example children who love singing could sing their maths tables.

Parenting tips & parenting articles copyright & courtesy
Department for Community Devlp, Australia.

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