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Adventures in Wisdom shares tips for parents on how to discuss grades with their children in a way that supports mental well-being and self-esteem. Given that children spend much of their time at school and often tie their self-worth to the grades they receive, now is the time to help children understand that grades do not define who they are.

AUSTIN, Texas, Oct. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- As we approach World Mental Health Day on October 10th, Adventures in Wisdom is sharing tips for parents on how to discuss grades with their children in a way that supports mental well-being and self-esteem. Given that children spend much of their time at school and often tie their self-worth to the grades they receive, now is the time to help children understand that grades do not define who they are.

Renaye Thornborrow, founder of Adventures in Wisdom Life Coaching for Kids, explains, "Whether a child typically gets A's, B's, C's, or even F's, they may internalize these results as part of their identity. A child might say, 'I'm an A student,' or 'I'm not very smart,' depending on the grades they receive. This kind of thinking can lead to what we call 'yo-yo self-esteem', where a child's self-worth rises and falls with their grades."

Parents can help their children avoid the trap of yo-yo self-esteem by teaching them that grades are feedback on their learning, not a judgment of their intelligence or value as a person.

Instead of seeing grades as proof of being "smart" or "not smart," grades should be viewed as feedback on how well the material has been understood. A poor grade simply means there is room for improvement, while a high grade indicates a good understanding of the subject.

For example, after receiving an A on a report card, instead of praising the child by saying, "You're so smart," a parent might say, "Great job! It looks like you really understood the material." This statement shifts the focus from labeling the child to acknowledging their effort and learning.

Similarly, if a child receives a lower grade, a parent can respond with, "It looks like there are some concepts you haven't mastered yet. Let's make a plan to go over the material so that you can catch up." This approach turns the conversation into a problem-solving opportunity without attaching the grade to the child's self-worth.

Thornborrow emphasizes the importance of keeping conversations about grades objective, "When discussing grades, focus on the results and what can be improved. This enables grades to used as a tool for growth rather than a measure of self-worth."

This feedback-focused mindset can also be applied to homework. Parents can decide with their children on a minimum acceptable grade for assignments, such as 91%. If the homework grade is below the threshold, then the child will know that they need to redo the work to reinforce their understanding of the material.

This method encourages learning. Redoing homework becomes a way to achieve mastery, not a punishment for getting wrong answers.

By helping children see grades as feedback, parents can teach their children to separate their sense of self-worth from their academic performance. When children understand that grades are simply feedback about how well they've grasped a subject, they become more resilient and better equipped to handle both success and setbacks.

About Renaye Thornborrow and Adventures in Wisdom Inc.

Renaye Thornborrow is leading a worldwide mission to bring life coaching to kids. Since 2013, her company, Adventures in Wisdom, has certified hundreds of coaches in over 30 countries, helping them create a business they love as a life coach for kids while empowering children around the world. For Renaye, motherhood was the catalyst for turning her lifelong passion for personal development into a comprehensive and effective story-based coaching curriculum to bring life coaching to kids. Life coaching is a game changer for children as they learn how to build confidence, resilience, and mindset skills for life; and it is a game changer for coaches as they increase their impact and income while doing their work in the world serving kids.

Media Contact

Renaye Thornborrow, Adventures in Wisdom, 1 5122226659, [email protected], AdventuresInWisdom.com 

SOURCE Adventures in Wisdom