Whether an adolescent has a learning disability, is having difficulties at home, or is struggling with parental expectations that are either too high or too low, the Carnegie Council on Adolescent Development points to a variety of factors that may need to be addressed in an attempt to improve a child's academic performance (see Reference 1). Peer influence, family dynamics and level of community support, along with an adolescent's own social skills, self-confidence and motivation can each play a role in the child's intellect and self-esteem.
Motivation
While motivation is a key to succeeding academically, adolescents may perform poorly in school for a number of different reasons. Nevertheless, there are ways in which parents can help children to become more motivated to achieve academic success. Begin by showing your adolescent that you are interested in what she does. Be actively involved in your child's schoolwork. Offer to help with homework, show her how to develop better study skills and meet with her teachers. Make your child understand that success is not linked to intelligence alone. Explain that individuals grow intellectually when they take on new challenges and put more time and effort into a task. Assisting your child in improving her organizational skills may help to enhance both her confidence and scholastic performance. The Psychology Department at Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota, cites studies, the findings of which point to a link between IQ and the number of years attending school (see Reference 2). Education appears to have a significant impact on intelligence and aptitude, as studies show that individuals of higher intelligence tend to stay in school longer.
Self-Esteem
Praising your child each time he does something well, particularly when he overcomes a difficult or challenging problem, can help to build his confidence and self-esteem. According to Keep Kids Healthy, an online pediatrician's guide that follows the recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics, providing your child with positive feedback can help improve his self-esteem (see Reference 3). For this reason, it is important for parents and teachers to avoid criticizing a child frequently, or in front of others, especially his peers. Instead, set a child up for success by encouraging him to pursue activities in which he has an interest. Help your adolescent to find that special skill or talent that will allow him to demonstrate his strengths.
Self-Perception
While self-esteem may be strongly related to an adolescent's happiness, boosting esteem might not necessarily improve a student's academic performance. On the contrary, achieving scholastically appears to improve confidence and self-esteem. However, a National Longitudinal Study published in the Journal of Adolescent Health indicates that adolescent boys report higher levels of self-esteem than girls the same age (see Reference 7). Analysis of a study published in a 2006 issue of Psychology of Women Quarterly also found that there were sex differences in self-perceptions of intelligence and self confidence among third through eighth graders (see Reference 4). Although the differences favored girls in the third grade, by the fifth grade boys were more likely to describe themselves as being intelligent and self-confident with girls reporting lower self-esteem. The differences continued into the eighth grade. Furthermore, a study conducted at the University of Lancashire in the UK found that the transition from elementary to middle school can have a negative effect on an adolescent's self image (see Reference 5). This in turn may result in lower grade point averages. The study also shows that students with higher emotional intelligence often have better coping skills, which could account for the ability of these adolescents to adjust better.
References
- Family Impact Seminars: Risk Factors for Adolescent Academic Achievement
- Macalester College: Neuroscience of Intelligence---Evidence for Nurture
- Keep Kids Healthy: School Performance Problems
- Wiley InterScience: Developmental Changes in Self-Perceptions of Intelligence and Self-Confidence
- teachingexpertise.com: Emotional intelligence helps transition
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