Supporting Your Child After a Concerning Report Card

In the past few weeks parents across Ontario have received their children’s report cards and many have also had individual parent teacher interviews. For some they are left with how to support their child after a concerning report card. Many kids may feel discouraged if they were trying their best. The pandemic brought many children’s mental health concerns, as well as academic challenges. As a parent you may be filled with multitude of emotions including frustration, helplessness and/or guilt. With the right supports your child can get back on track. Below are four considerations: 

1. Identify the Main Concerns. Once you have allowed yourself time to take in the information, and paused for a moment in time; write out the top concerns you are seeing.
2. Provide your Child with Emotional Understanding. Firstly, it is important your child's efforts are acknowledged. Secondly, that your child knows they are not alone as many kids are struggling with the impacts of the instability of school in the past few years. Thirdly, it is important to also provide hope in the sense that your child knows with the right support they can be successful in school.
3. Gather More Information: Set up a time to speak with your child’s teacher. If you have already had the parent teacher interview make note of some of the key things the teacher said if you can remember; if you have further questions make note of them and see if you can set up an additional time to speak with your child’s teacher. If you have not had the parent teacher interview, write down the questions you have based on the areas you identified above.
4. Ask for Recommendations. Based on what the teacher says, you can ask about their suggestions and recommendations. They may suggest getting an educational assessment, or getting some support for your child to learn self-regulation tools. You can also consult with other trusted professionals in your circle including your family doctor, or naturopath doctor if you have one as they may have suggestions and referral sources.
5. Make a Plan. In partnership with your child, make a plan by identifying and writing out the goals, and identifying and writing out steps to achieve them.

If you need additional support reach out to me I am Nicole Levy and I would be happy to help. You can book an initial consult directly though www.mindfulhealingjourney.ca