The A+ Activist

As schools everywhere are preparing to end the year many parents have already been approached by their child’s teacher about repeating the grade they are in. For most parents the thought of their child repeating a grade feels like failure but depending on the teacher’s reasons, it could be the best decision you make for your child.

Often times teachers suggest a child repeats a grade it is because the child isn’t ready to move on with his or her peers. This happens more to children who are in Kindergarten, First or Second grade. Your child may not be emotionally ready to move on - one of the largest reasons teachers suggest a child hangs back a grade. What happens is that the child may have trouble adjusting to changes, working with other students, or other emotional or social markers.

School isn’t all about grades. Teachers realize that some children simply have a harder time at the social aspect of school. If given the chance to work through their difficulties, they can excel but in order to do that the teacher and parents must come to an understanding about what a child needs.

So if it’s been recommended that your child repeat a grade and you can’t find a reason that they should academically, schedule a meeting with the teacher to find out why. If you are strongly against your child repeating a grade make sure you understand why the teacher suggests it and what you can do over the summer to better prepare your child for the next school year.

Teachers don’t make the suggestion to hold a child back lightly and before you decide, take the time to understand the teacher’s position and get plenty of information and examples from the teacher for the basis of their suggestion.

Trackback URI | Comments RSS