A question of confidence

The question of how to help children who are struggling at school is one that is fraught with emotion, concern and worry for many parents.

Teachers and children's health professionals believe that the answer lies in maintaining a child's self esteem and providing opportunities for kids to feel positive about themselves.

For the child who is not an academic star, this usually means finding an activity or interest that they can enjoy outside the classroom. Many schools offer extra curricular activities like sport, dance, clubs and community service activities that provide kids with valuable opportunities to excel and achieve.

For parents, the key is knowing what activities would best suit your child.

Children with good practical skills can often achieve artistic or sporting success that can help them to
feel more positive about school.

A child who has good gross motor skills will often become a leader amongst their peers in the playground. Being chosen to be a captain of a team or praised after playing well can be very affirming for a child who lacks confidence in their class work.

Similarly, a creative child who can draw, paint, sing or dance should be encouraged to develop their interests. Creative expression is important to kids, and many children who are average learners have
other talents that can be developed at school to foster their self esteem. Most teachers work hard to encourage and acknowledge kids when they do their best, regardless of their results.

For some kids, though, this is not enough.

If your child is stressed about their academic difficulties, giving them extra professional support in just one area of their study can often make a difference. For example, a child who has trouble with reading and comprehension will often experience difficulties in maths because they do not understand the question.

With the support of a qualified teacher, these literacy problems can often be resolved fairly quickly, and the benefits for the child across the curriculum can be enormous. Ask your child's teacher about accessing extra help at school, or contact a reputable education support service for out of school encouragement.

It is possible to give your child opportunities to shine. Sometimes it takes time to find that perfect activity in which your child excels - but the smile on their face when they receive that ribbon, applause or improved grade will be worth it.

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