Let's talk life: Bad transition

Dear Counsellor,

My son did well in the Grade Six Achievement Test, but is doing poorly in high school. He does not know what is wrong and neither do I. I am being encouraged to get an assessment done on him.

- Alicia

Dear Alicia,

There are many stresses affecting adolescents. There are school, family and environment factors. There is little you can do about the school factors, but you can manipulate the environment for good results.

An assessment is a good idea, and this will help to tease out the issues. We need to check for learning issues. Is he focusing, paying attention or distracting the other children? Is he talkative in class?

What about his motivation and interest? What about his drive and passion? Many times children are burnt out in school because of the many pressures. Academics is stressful and the push for excellence has left many students along the wayside. We need a well-rounded student whose physical, academic, emotional and spiritual needs are met.

As students progress up the stream, the work becomes more stressful and the student needs the support of teachers and parents.

Some student needs the one-on-one tutoring from a teacher. The class sizes are large, the curriculum is extensive and has to be completed and the time for teaching is fixed. Students need also to be self-teachers. They need to take the textbooks and read and practise the work. In these days, there is no time for much idle chatter.

There are many subjects and the students need to be on top of the work. Much effort is needed and students need to apply themselves with a positive attitude. Children who are failing need to be encourage because they feel helpless and discouraged. They feel like failures and their self-esteem is low.

Sit with him and help him to organise himself. Check his book weekly and look at the assignments.

Email questions and feedback for Dr Yvonnie Bailey-Davidson to yvonniebd@hotmail.com or call 978-8602.