When a child does not do well in exams, it is important to communicate effectively with the teacher in order to understand the child's learning difficulties and find cooperative ways to support the child's academic progress. Here are some strategies and suggestions to help you have productive conversations with your teachers.
Adequate preparation is key before communicating with a teacher.
Understand the grades: Take a closer look at your child's exams to see which sections they have lost more marks, if there are any common mistakes or problems in a particular area.
Listen to your child: Talk to your child about how they feel about the test, what sections they find difficult, and why they think they didn't achieve the expected grades.
Set goals: Consider what you hope to accomplish through your conversations with your teacher, such as accessing additional resources, creating a learning plan, or understanding your child's learning disability.
Write a formal email or call the school to request a face-to-face meeting with a teacher or through a meeting. In the request, indicate that you want to discuss your child's progress and suggest several possible meeting times.
Here are a few points that may help you communicate effectively in a meeting:
Stay positive: Start the conversation with positive language and thank the teacher for their time and effort. Even if you feel disappointed or frustrated, stay calm and professional.
Specific examples:: Provide specific examples to illustrate your concerns. For example, if a child scores low on a math test, give examples of the types of questions they are not doing well.
Listen to your teacher's point of view: Give teachers enough time to express their observations and opinions about the child's learning. This can help you better understand the problem and find a solution.
Discuss potential issues: Ask the teacher if they have noticed any potential issues that are contributing to the child's poor performance, such as attention, engagement, or classroom behavior.
Collaborate to find solutions: Discuss potential support strategies with your teacher, such as tutoring, participating in study groups, or changing study habits.
Set achievable goals: Work with the teacher to set realistic, achievable goals in the short and long term to help your child improve.
Create an action planAt the end of the meeting, summarize all the points you discussed and develop a clear plan of action, including who will carry it out and how to follow up on your child's progress.
Constant communication: Establish a framework for continuous communication, regularly check on your child's progress, and adjust strategies if necessary.
After the meeting, make sure to act on the plan and maintain communication with the child as well as the teacher.
Discuss with your child: Discuss the content of the session with your child to make sure they understand the teacher's expectations and the steps to be taken.
Monitor progress: Supervise children's learning plans and progress, encourage and support them not to give up in the face of difficulties.
Get in touch: Check in regularly with the teacher to update your child's learning at home, as well as the behaviors and progress you have observed.
Evaluate your strategy: Don't be afraid to re-evaluate if the strategy you develop doesn't bring about the desired improvements. Communicating with teachers may require new strategies or resources.
Communicating effectively with teachers requires patience, respect, and an open mind. Remember, the goal is to work with teachers to create the best learning environment and support system for your child. Through a positive attitude, clear communication, and working together, you can help your child overcome learning difficulties and inspire them to reach their potential. Ultimately, remember that each child's learning path is unique and requires individualized support and understanding.