Unsatisfactory performance in school can stem from a multitude of different reasons, and it’s important for parents to determine the problem before they can establish an effective solution to the issue. If your child usually performs well in school, an occasional poor grade or misbehavior might not be the result of a lack of motivation -- rather, it can be due to problems comprehending the material or lack of sleep, to name a couple examples. If you’ve noticed a steady decline in grades and behavior, the problem might be rooted in pressures at school, overwhelming schedule demands or substance abuse. In such instances, punishment isn’t an effective choice, because it leaves the underlying cause of the problem unaddressed. If, however, your child seems to shrug off school responsibilities as a way to test limits or in favor of other pursuits, such as hanging out with friends or watching TV, disciplinary action can help correct the problem and motivate your child’s focus and valuation of school success.
Children need a clear idea of the scholastic expectations that teachers and parents have for them in order to work toward and achieve satisfactory performance in school. At the start of the school year, a new marking period or even in the beginning of each new school week, communicate your expectations to your child and establish short-term goals together. Be reasonable in your expectations, keeping your child’s individual capabilities, strengths and weaknesses in mind. Establish limits to aid your child in her academic performance -- if she has a science test coming up, for example, limit her after-school activities or curfew to give her ample time to prepare.
It is important to establish consequences ahead of time so that your child knows what will happen if she receives a poor grade or misbehaves. If, after establishing expectations and limits, your child still performs poorly in school, enforce the consequence with a brief explanation to help her understand why she is being punished and what the goal of the punishment is. Enforce a constructive, natural consequence, such as revoking TV privileges or taking away the video game console, reminding her that because she neglected to turn in her homework, she will need to spend her free time making up the work. Be consistent in enforcing limits and consequences, but also provide encouragement and support to set her up for success.
Positive reinforcement can be just as effective as disciplinary action -- if not more so -- for motivating a child to perform better in school. When your child brings home a good grade or a special award or certificate, praise her for a job well done or reward her with a special treat or privilege, such as an extended weekend curfew or a family trip to the movies. Tackle school projects together or attend school functions with your child to show her that you value learning, which can motivate her to adopt a similar perspective. Talk to your child on a regular basis, allowing her to communicate any worries or troubles that she might be experiencing. Finding a resolution together can help motivate better school performance.