'Love me, love my report card'

30 November 2015 - 02:14 By Katharine Child

The end of the year is near, but for thousands of pupils there is a major hurdle that must be overcome - bringing home their reports. "Time and again I have seen children do poorly in one report and then box themselves as underachievers and underperform," said University of Johannesburg Associate Professor Lara Ragpot.What helps, she said, is for parents to help them improve and refuse to give up. "Parents who do that teach children the determination needed for success in life."Ragpot urged parents of children who struggled at school to find something they can do well to boost the pupils' morale."Don't change your love according to the report card," she said.Susan du Plessis, Edublox director, said if children's results are consistently poor, parents should check their reading ability."Many children struggle with reading as a result of a learning problem."University of Pretoria educational psychologist Kobus Maree said parents must look for patterns to identify problem areas."Set realistic goals," said educational psychologist Cara Blackie. She said often parents who paid for extra lessons expect instant improvements...

There’s never been a more important time to support independent media.

From World War 1 to present-day cosmopolitan South Africa and beyond, the Sunday Times has been a pillar in covering the stories that matter to you.

For just R80 you can become a premium member (digital access) and support a publication that has played an important political and social role in South Africa for over a century of Sundays. You can cancel anytime.

Already subscribed? Sign in below.



Questions or problems? Email helpdesk@timeslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00.