Nurture Your Child’s Academic Growth: Three Powerful Phrases to Empower Them After a Mistake

Is your child's test score not what you expected? Now is not the time for empty platitudes. Your child needs your guidance and encouragement, but it's important to approach this in the right way.

0
16

It’s not uncommon for parents to react critically when their children’s academic performance falls short of expectations. However, this behavior can create unnecessary psychological pressure for the child. To alleviate worry and fear, some parents choose to encourage their children with phrases like, “It’s okay.” But if repeated, this style of consolation can lead to a sense of dependency or cause the child to focus even more on their shortcomings.

Daniel Wegener, a social psychologist at Harvard, conducted an interesting experiment: when instructing participants not to think about a “white bear,” the result was that they couldn’t stop thinking about it. This white bear effect once again proves that prohibiting something tends to draw more attention to it. In education, if you want your child to not worry about pressure, they are more likely to become concerned about it.

Psychologists suggest that parents employ alternative methods to support their children. Instead of merely offering words of comfort, find ways to promote perseverance and motivation. This will not only help the child feel more relaxed but also foster a progressive spirit in their studies.

Psychologists recommend that parents use different methods to support their children

“In which areas of this test do you feel you performed the best?”

This question not only gives the child a sense of agency but also encourages them to bravely face their failures. Even if the results are not as expected, reviewing their performance will help them realize that there are still aspects they can excel at appropriately.

Additionally, each child has a unique learning style – some may excel in certain subjects while struggling in others. Encouraging children to share the parts of the test they felt confident about will help restore their self-belief. When children can identify their strengths, such as writing skills or logical thinking in mathematics, they will recognize that “I, too, have many things to be proud of.”

Furthermore, you can ask the child about the reasons they felt stronger in those areas. This will help them understand that achievements result not only from luck but also from their efforts, memory, and diligent revision. Reminding children of these effective strategies will enable them to apply them to their weaker areas for improvement in subsequent tests.

Thus, instead of feeling pressured by their mistakes or shortcomings, they will focus on “how to improve in the future.”

You can also ask children about why they felt stronger in certain test areas

“What are your weaknesses that need improvement?”

In addition to helping children regain their confidence and develop their strengths, parents must also address their weaknesses. Instead of judging, analyze the imperfections objectively together. While scores are not the sole measure of a child’s ability, they provide valuable information about areas that need improvement and the reasons behind them, thus helping the child gain a clearer understanding of their weaknesses and adjust their learning methods accordingly.

Once the child recognizes the issues and the areas that need work, offer words of encouragement. In their development and learning journey, children need guidance and motivation from their parents. When parents patiently guide and model the steps, children will feel more confident in their ability to overcome problems in the future.

“Remember to always keep a calm mind.”

Cultivating a strong mindset is crucial in the learning journey and exams. Many students may perform exceptionally well and display intelligence in their daily activities, but when it comes to important exams, their performance may become inconsistent, missing out on valuable opportunities. The reason is often self-imposed or family pressure, with an excessive focus on scores and outcomes, leading to a fear of failure and unexpected results. However, this worry and tension typically result in negative impacts, further diminishing exam performance.

As parents, we should prioritize our children’s learning and knowledge acquisition rather than solely focusing on grades. Only by creating a learning motivation and igniting their passion for discovery can our children develop sustainably in their studies.

Therefore, parents should patiently communicate with their children, helping them understand that exams are not destiny-deciding events but rather opportunities to review and evaluate their learning. Maintaining a calm mindset and approaching exams with a relaxed attitude will enable children to achieve better scores.

You may also like

The Six Times Parents Must Firmly Say “No” to Their Children’s Requests

“Children should refrain from kicking the seats in front of them, playing with their tray tables, or creating a ruckus on the plane. These actions can disturb fellow passengers, and it’s important to remember that the aircraft is a shared, public space,” emphasized Dr. Markham.

The Power of Words: When Parents Yell, These 5 Phrases Are Off-Limits

Studies have shown that a child’s memory and reaction time can be negatively impacted by frequent criticism and scolding. It is important to be mindful of how we speak to children, as our words can have a lasting impact on their development and well-being.

“Love-Based Education: 6 Moments When Children Feel Truly Loved by Their Parents”

In certain situations, parents are advised to be more indulgent and expressive of their love for their children. It is important to create a nurturing and loving environment for their kids to grow and thrive. This involves being more lenient and understanding, as well as openly communicating their affection. By doing so, parents can foster a strong and healthy relationship with their children, which can have a positive impact on their overall well-being and development.

The Secret to Academic Success: Unlocking Your Child’s Potential with the Right Learning Strategies

“Focus is the new IQ,” say the experts. The ability to concentrate is now seen as the key to success in various fields, surpassing the importance of innate intelligence.

“The 3 Life Transition Stages: Nurturing Children Towards a Successful Future”

The journey of parenthood is full of surprises as your child grows and develops. Their personalities, behaviors, and psychological needs evolve, and so it’s important for parents to adapt their parenting techniques accordingly. Understanding the unique needs of your child at each stage of their life is key to providing them with the best care and support.