How to Keep Math Grades up: A parent's perspective

After completing a math program with a student and the parents, most kids' grades stay up as they move on to higher grades. For one 8th grader who came in with D's and left with A's the progress actually accelerated after he left the program! He's now routinely makes the honor's list while taking advanced math classes in a prestigious Tucson high school. This was an intriguing circumstance, so I asked "Alec's" mom to share her "secrets":

How do we keep our child academically motivated, especially when they have struggled in the past? Not an easy question to answer, but from one parent to another, I can only share my personal experiences and challenges. My first step was to acknowledge the fact that we, my son and I, needed outside help. So, I am glad that you are reading my letter, because this confirms that you too have taken the first step in helping your child. We sought the help of Dr. Feenix Pan who not only helped my son in math, but also gave him back the academic confidence he had lost through years of frustration at school. Once he completed her program, my concern then became how I could keep him motivated and confident in school so that he will be interested in learning, especially since he would be starting high school. Dr Pan asked for me to share what I have done to help my son. So, here are a few the things I have done as a parent to continue to help my son maintain his motivation in learning:

1.)Talk to your child daily. I do it on the way home from school or at the dinner table. Ask him questions like “How was your day?” or “What did you do interesting at school today?” I feel that it is important that your child know that you care, and that you want to help in what he needs and want to be involved. Open ended questions allowed him to tell me more than if I asked specific questions, thus getting more than just “fine” for an answer.

2.)Establish a dialogue with your child’s teacher/school. Communication is key, be it by phone, in person or email. If your school offers posting grades online, check it out regularly. My advice however, is to do it together with your child. I do this with mine and believe me he knows when he has done well and when he has not way before I find out. But by checking his grades together I feel that it does not appear like I am spying on him or doing anything behind his back.

3.)Have your child read. My son does not enjoy reading and sadly he will not yet pick up a book unless I tell him to. So we read together a couple of times a week. I set aside 30 minutes and have him read to me. Reading not only improves vocabulary, but I believe it also helps with writing skills, not to mention they learn something new, too. Just have your child choose what he wants to read, hopefully making reading more enjoyable.

4.)Keep your child busy. Use the internet to find activities that will keep your child motivated. For example, my son just completed a 10 day journalism program at the U of A. He dislikes writing, but loves sports and thoroughly enjoyed writing about sports. Best of all this program was free. So do your search online because you can truly find programs that can be affordable for you. Volunteering in any activity can also improve self-confidence.

I hope my personal experiences help any parent who, just like me, only wants his child to be happy and successful in life.

 (c) 2006 Feenix Pan.  All rights reserved.l

HOME

© 2002-2007 Door-2-Math Inc. .

We will never give, lease or sell your personal information. Period!    Contact Us