Building Confidence in Your Child
The academic development of a child at school depends on a number of factors. In this article, we explore three strategies parents-guardians can take to foster a love of learning at home from a child’s earliest years and well beyond.
1. See school as a place of learning, joy and curiosity
School is, of course, a place of learning for students. We encourage parents to talk to their children about school as a place of joy and curiosity. Encourage your children to enjoy discovering new things, asking questions and expressing curiosity. Support them in their school projects and encourage their interest in different subjects.
Get actively involved in your children’s school life by taking part in family-teacher meetings, attending shows and school activities. By showing an interest in your children’s education, you’re demonstrating that school is an important and rewarding place.
2. Build confidence in your child’s ability to overcome difficulties and value mistakes
Confidence in your children’s ability to overcome difficulties is a key factor in their academic development. Encourage them to face up to challenges and learn from their mistakes. Praise their efforts and progress, rather than focusing solely on results.
Acknowledge their successes, even those that aren’t always linked to academic results.
It’s important to value mistakes as an integral part of the learning process. Reassure your children that it’s normal to make mistakes, because that’s how we learn and progress. Encourage them to see mistakes as learning opportunities, not failures.
3. Manage excessive expectations
It’s essential for parents-guardians to have realistic expectations of their children. Excessive expectations can generate undue pressure and anxiety in the children. Every child has their own strengths and weaknesses, and it’s important to respect their learning pace.
Instead of focusing on grades and results, why not concentrate on your children’s learning process. Encourage them to do their best and to progress at their own pace. Acknowledge their successes, even those that aren’t always linked to academic results, such as their efforts to organize themselves or their creativity in artistic projects.
Research shows us that parental attitude plays a decisive role in a children’s academic development. By adopting a positive attitude towards school, trusting in their children’s ability to overcome difficulties and avoiding inflated expectations, parents create an environment conducive to their children’s academic development. They help their children develop a positive attitude towards learning, fostering a healthy, fulfilling approach to education throughout their life.
About the Author :
Vannina Boussouf grew up on the Mediterranean island of Corsica, where bilingualism is an integral part of identity. She studied English and Spanish at the University of Corsica, and philology and letters in Cordoba, Spain, before starting a career as an elementary teacher and administrator. Vannina relocated to the United States in 2004, where she taught at the International School in Louisiana. She joined the Lycée in 2007 to direct the Primary School, and during her tenure, she has focused on innovative teaching methods that support the development of the whole child in a bilingual setting.