Should Your Child Repeat a Grade?
Do remember that ultimately it will be your decision, unless a school teacher or director is involved with you and have raised the concern. It’s important to be objective and consider why your child may be struggling. Is it academic, or is something going on in their personal lives at home? Are there environmental factors or restrictions that may be ‘disabling’ them from doing their best? Or, are there emotional issues that they have not discussed openly with you that might be hindering their progress? These, and other direct questions with your child, will help you make a better informed decision on whether they should repeat a grade.
Children are generally held back after the school recommends retention for the following reasons:
� The child may be failing in different subjects,
� They may be having difficulty comprehending basic English skills and reading material
� They may be socializing with peers poorly
� They may be absent frequently and unable to make up missed work
� They may be poorly developing fundamental math and reading skills
These are all solid reasons for a child to repeat a grade, as over placing them into the next grade without these foundations may lead to further trouble down the road. It’s important to be as accurate as possible when gauging where your child is academically, as well as on a level of social maturity. They do need strong social skills and support to get through school at any age, and will need to develop them in conjunction with academics. Children need to feel good about themselves as they grow. They may get better attention and develop stronger social skills if they are given a little ‘breathing’ room by repeating a grade.
Holding a child back to repeat a grade may help them in the short-term as they develop the necessary skills to move on to the next academic level. However, do keep in mind that self-esteem issues about being held back are involved too. Especially in the middle and high school years, its important to keep in mind that your child may have strong bonds with their age and peer group already, and this may affect their self-esteem overall. Do make sure that they have enough support at home, as well as extra-curricular and self-esteem boosting activities outside of school to keep them positive and motivated. School psychologists, counselors, and nurses may also be available to help your child during this transition, and make adjustment a little easier.
The need to repeat a grade can be prevented in some ways, as parents and peers can help a child to succeed in most environments. This can happen with the help of a balanced diet and healthy level of exercise; plenty of time for activities and special interests; time for friends and socializing; and adequate self-care and financial wellness. Helping a child succeed in school is the work of parents, teachers, counselors, and peers alike; it does take a town to raise a child! Support and positive encouragement should be readily available, and the approach will be very different depending on the child’s needs and subsequent outlook on life.
Take the time to listen to your child’s concerns, worries, and issues before they reach the ‘ultimatum’ stages of failing grades and missing school. The sooner parents can help a child get through challenges, the better they will perform on their own in future grades. A child may not need to repeat a grade if they are well-adjusted during the kindergarten and early school year stages; this is the prime time to overcome social and even academic challenges, however this might change later due to environmental and other factors. The need to repeat a grade should never be considered a ‘negative’ result, but instead an opportunity to strengthen skills and move on to the next grade with ease.
