THIS is one subject that attracts a lot of interest from parents across the globe, all because no parent in his or her sane mind takes delight in the academic failure of their child.

Every mom and dad and indeed every well meaning guardian loves to be associated with the academic success of their own, it definitely gives them great pride and strengthens their disposition in society.

Obviously, this is true, not only academics but other fields of life as-well. Today we choose to limit ourselves to academics or as some may call it the education aspect. Hopefully, the same principles we draw from this sphere would have application in other related spheres.

We shall endeavour to learn to avoid the mistakes of others and strive to faithfully follow in the steps of those that have done well.

To begin with it is important that we define educational success as per our topic in the right frame as the ability for a child of a given age to know and understand education concepts reasonably expected for children of his or her age, this does not necessary mean been top of the class though it might include that.

Who says parents have nothing to do with how well a child does in school? In-fact in more cases than we may possibly know they do, especially in the primary or foundational stages of the child’s education parents have, do and can help turn the education-challenged to an excellent pupil or as some may say from zero to hero.

One such well documented example is the story of one of the world’s leading neuro-surgeon Ben Carson-Who writes in his book “Think Big” of how his mother, a single parent and unschooled helped turn the academic fortunes of Ben and his older brother –It is truly  an amazing and inspiring true story.

In the quest to help our sons and daughters do well in school the following methods though common have never been known to yield positive results;

1. Organising and providing the child with leaked exam papers –degrades the parent in the face of the child.

2. Criticising a child`s academic performance especially in the presence of his or her peers does not help much though it is much easier to do.

3. Comparing children to other children (especially when done in-conjunction with criticism) could possibly shift focus from excelling in academics to excelling against the other child.  Surely you agree that this method is lacking in depth to produce lasting results.

That said, we now explore what parents can do to help their child do well in school;

1. Parents must get actively involved in the child’s education-Creating time to check the child’s books and inquiring school, helping with school work or simply taking a knee interest in the educational matters of a child… beyond getting involved in the PTA… This sends a clear message to the child that you (the Parent) value education and children will strive to excel at what delights their loving parents.

2. When a child does not do well in school the onus is on the parents to carry out an accurate diagnosis of problem(the reasons why)-could it be that they (children) are involved with bad company, the child is watching too much TV,   or spending more time playing video games or on social networks instead of studying etc.

3. Following the accurate diagnosis a workable action plan needs to be designed and engaged, it could be extra tuition, insisting the child goes to bed in good time to get enough sleep.

4. Methodologically, what follows after action plan is checking and ensuring the plan is working modifying and improving it where need be.

5. Consider withholding privileges when the child does poorly and generously reward every positive effort expeditiously.

 Parents must not underestimate the power of prayer, GOD does turnaround situations … asking the Almighty`s intervention who turns the humble into nobles, acknowledging that God is the ultimate source of all true success including educational success should launch our little ones in the world of immense possibilities.

 Wishing every parent out there success in this New Year 2014 and May your children excel academically and gladden your hearts.

 About The Writer; Tenda Kamba is a parent, a Sunday School Teacher and Passionate about Child physicology and Development.

For comments and suggestions email: tendakamba@yahoo.com, mobile 0962 843443