Anthony Meerak

After doing GSAT, the next big set of examinations in a child's life is his/her Caribbean Examination Council exams. Here are some pointers to help you cope with your children, if they performed below expectations.

Prerequisite knowledge: Please note that a part of your children's failure is reflective of you. Whether it's how you motivate or support them, their failure or success is not solely dependent on them.

Self-assessment

If addressed correctly, failure can be a very healthy experience. While success can encourage complacency, failure usually causes us to stop and reflect on our actions. Perhaps we were on the highway of life passing friends, family and academics without spending quality time with anyone of them.

Help your children to go through a self-assessment period, talk to them about their views on academics and help them to identify some of the mistakes they could have made. Meet with their teachers to identify their weaknesses in the various subject areas. Also, visit www.cxc.org and have your children familiarise themselves with the marking scheme. Whatever the case may be, evaluation must be done before moving forward.

Elements of distraction

The truth of the matter is, teens have multiple things to constantly distract them, whether it's the TV, phone or the Internet. Your aim should not be to deprive them of these things, but teach them how to use them in moderation. Their failure could be attributed to a lack of balance with regard to these elements.

If your children have serious issues managing their time, then you need to be an active presence in their daily life. First, let them know why you are doing it, then rationalise the importance of living an effectively balanced life. Use your life as an example if you must.

Tip: Your role should be altered, based on changes in their maturity level.

Environment

Many students fail due to the fact that their environment is not conducive to studying. This can be caused by violence, noise or space constraint. It's hard to fathom a child studying effectively when a dance is kept in the neighbourhood every night. If the home environment is not appropriate for studying, find alternatives. Perhaps you could ask a relative to accommodate them for a while. Another solution is to have them stay back after school and study. If you are good friends with a teacher, you could ask him/her to monitor your child. Many teachers are usually at school late, marking papers or preparing lesson plans.

Failure does not mean defeat

Despite the fact that they have lost the battle, they have not lost the war. Many of us have performed below our expectations for years, but we rebounded well. Your children need to know and understand that their present situation does not determine their long-term success. They might be a failure today but with strategic preparation and proper execution they are sure to succeed at their next attempt.

Postscript: Don't persistently remind your children of their failure as a means of motivation. It usually doesn't work. This generally decreases their confidence and causes emotional distress.

Sources: Educational Psychology written by Robert E. Slavin, www.cxc.org

For the most interesting teen issues and styles, get your copy of Youthlink magazine on news-stands on Tuesday.