The end of the course is not easy for all students and families. For some it means facing the complex situation of repetition. The reasons for this can be varied: lack of study routine during the course, learning difficulties, personal and / or family problems, etc. However, the result after the delivery of final grades is usually similar. Crying, sadness, grief, incomprehension and the dreaded lack of motivation, sometimes appear to stay.
Parents have a key role in the confrontation that our children can make of this situation. To redirect what happened is a priority to avoid that the new year supposes a point and followed in the child's school life.
What strategies can we implement to increase motivation and reduce discomfort in our children when faced with a repetition?
- Speak naturally about its repetition and solve any doubts that may appear. Repeat should not have any negative connotation from home. We must help him see the new opportunity that presents itself to him, motivating him and never repressing him for what happened. It does not mean rewarding him, if the reason has been neglect before the study, but not labeling him from the family. At this point in the course staying in error does not make any sense.
- To solve their school difficulties from the beginning of the next course. Many repetitions have their origin in difficulties in the study. If there are no changes, the results will be identical to the previous course. Detecting possible difficulties (poor reading comprehension, problems in planning and organization, etc.) and helping them solve them will motivate them to start the course with enthusiasm. They must be provided with tools that allow them to correct errors from previous courses.
- Encourage a study schedule that provides enough hours for their school needs. Students should have time for study. Actually the bulk of the time after school has to be spent planning study. In this way they will be able to go according to the needs that may be presented in the course. Extracurricular activities are necessary to favor other aspects of our children, but they should not occupy all their afternoons. This is even more relevant in the case of repetitions, where there is a specific difficulty that will require more study time.