Evening star., 1932-11-28
OUR CHILDREN
BE ANGELO PATRI.
Check Up Now.

A LONG about the early part of
~ December is the time to check
"A upon q school child's work
4 \ Study his latest report card. II
there are signs that he Is fail
ing in a subject, II any OF his marks
are falling OF, this is the time to take
up the matter, not at the end of the
term. Talk first to the child and re-
member that your attitude on this is OF
first importance.
If you take the tone that the child
has neglected his work and disgraced
| about it gently. Ask him where he
thinks the trouble is and when he says,
Jaw, she never gives me a chance, "
do not fly up at him and end the con-
ference in a tense situation. Listen.
Keep on listening. Let him say all he
has to say in his own defense and
question him further. BY and by he
will begin to disclose something of his
difficulty and that is what you need.
After you have talked to the boy go
to see the teacher. Once more you
must go about your task tactfully and
in the spirit of helpfulness. The teach
ef is your partner, your working part
ner, and unless she is with you strongly
you are not going to succeed. Tell the
teacher you want to do all you can
to keep the child progressing steadily
and ask her what you can do. Then
plan with her. Don't be satisfied until
you can answer these questions: Why
is the child falling behind? What must
be done first to make up the failing?
How much work has he to cover before
the term ends? Can you see q way
clear for him to accomplish it? Can
you make a schedule Of work that will
enable the child to complete his work
we'll within the time and allow him
some time for review and reorganiZa-
ton?
You see, you have not only to bring
the child up to the standard JUST now,
you have to plan to help him main
tain that standard. You cannot do the
work for him, but you can so organize
his work in cooperation with the
teacher that he can carry on for him.
self All you can do, once you have
found the difficulty, strengthened it,
laid out the term plan, is to stand on
the sidelines and coach and cheer. He
must do the rest. The child knows
this and, If you can clear things up
for him and give him good start,
he has renewed confidence and goes to
work in better mood.
Encouragement keeps child from
working. When he has poor marx
and sees no way of getting a better
one his mind is weighted down with
trouble and, of course, he makes no
progress Show him the way out, make
success possible, and he will take heart
and go forward.
If sickness has kept child from
school and cost him his standing, don't
try to make it up at one bite. Talk
things over with the teacher Scale
down the subject matter to the essen
tials 1t is surprising how much easier
this makes the child's work. Then di-
vide the subject matter into easily
worked units and the child will make
up his lost time.
Sometimes a special program will
enable child to make up lessons. This
can usually be obtained by asking. for
it at the school Drill will not help
clear up misunderstood lessons. Get
the facts right, the understanding clear
before you begin the drill Drilling
pure memory work is rarely what is
needed In any case, check up on the
school work now, so that there will be
no sudden shock at term end.
Copyright. 1922