We all think that kids who have straight “A”s are guaranteed to experience success in life. But it’s not necessarily true! As parents, we need to rethink our values. Sure good grades are important but at what cost to your child’s sense of self-worth?
There are many people who did not do well in school but have achieved greatness in life such as Albert Einstein and Steve Jobs. You may even have some childhood friends who didn’t experience success in school but went on to experience success in life. Your child’s gifts and talents are not limited to the confines of the classroom, and may only be after they leave that they truly begin to flourish.
Focus on teaching children to love learning
Parents often use grades as a litmus test of classroom success. They may ask questions like:
“How did you do on your test?”
“Why didn’t you get an “A”?
“You need to study more to get good grades!”
Instead, talk to them developing a love of learning  which encourages curiosity:
“Was there something interesting you learned today?”
“What piqued your interest today in school?”
“You learned about the different parts of your brain? You’ve always been interested in how your body works!”
Every once in a while be sure to tell your child, “I care more that you enjoy learning than you getting good grades. It’s really important to me that you find something that interests you and wants to learn more about it.”
Ironically, the more we let our kids know that their grades are not everything, the more they will take school seriously themselves.