Parent Expectation— A Powerful Force in Student Success
One of the most common fears that some parents seem to have is that their son or daughter is going to be ahead of the other students in his or her class. It is in sharp contrast with other parents who want their child to maximize his or her potential and reach the highest levels of ability as quickly as possible.
In both cases, such fears and expectations often play a major role in what children actually achieve. Many wise parents know that what they frequently want for their child, their child attains. Particularly true in the early grades, such influence has a residual effect on the attitudes of older children as well.
Parental influence is clearly a major factor in what children accomplish in their early years. Young children seek and cherish parent approval. Such a relationship is one that parents should develop, nurture, and work hard at maintaining.
Once a youngster reaches the age of 12, parental influence begins to diminish, and peers have seemingly greater influence on them. For parents, it is extremely important to start early to maintain a balanced relationship between expectations and the ability of their child.
But parents who are satisfied with average often get just that from their youngster — average performance. Children sometimes do in fact reach their parents’ expectations.
Increasingly, understanding the role of parental expectations is becoming a significant area of interest for researchers. We know that teachers’ expectations play a substantial role in encouraging students to learn. Wise educators know that if a teacher thinks a child cannot learn, the child won’t.
And parents are our children’s first teachers!
So, parents need to carefully think about expectations, both negative and positive. To encourage children to “stay with the pack” may discourage some children from doing their best. It may not hurt some kids either, but frankly, why do it?
American education is devoted to the individual child and is increasing its funding for gifted and talented programs each year. If schools are gearing up for excellence, why shouldn’t parents encourage their children and have the highest expectations.
What is “best for the child” is a concept that drives much of the Kumon Method. Learn the most you can, as fast as you can, and develop it daily. If your youngster gets ahead of his or her class, both you and the teacher will develop ways to deal with it. It is one of the nicest problems to have.
Can you imagine if we told all the great thinkers and inventors to stay with their class? Telling them to learn only so much? Encouraging them to attain only an average grade? Expecting them to do just okay?
No, we need to encourage our children to learn more and move ahead. And even more important, expect them to do it!
