Whether this is your child's first year of school or just beginning a new year, it is important for parents to encourage young students to succeed in school, while not pushing too hard. Putting pressure on a child to meet such goals can make him feel inadequate if he cannot meet his parents' expectations. Expecting too little from children can limit their success because they lose incentive to try new experiences or work a little harder. But, unrealistic expectations can also damage a child's self-image if they interpret the pushing to mean that they aren't good enough. Successful expectations promote developing children's potential to become their best without pushing them to be more than they can handle.
Parents can examine their own expectations to discover if they are pushing too hard.
Sometimes, parents expect their children to perform school tasks that are not appropriate for their child's age. Remember that each child is different and the developmental guidelines are not going to fit each child. Evaluate your own child and don't demand more than he is ready to do. Realistic expectations encourage children to aim higher but don't push them beyond their capabilities. Don't put your child in situations that are too difficult or increase the risk of failure, Griswold advised.