Educational well-being

The educational well-being of a student, no matter how young, is the key to academic success.

Educational well-being depends on parents managing to maintain the very difficult balance of being supportive and caring at all times. When parents’ main focus in their relationships with their children are based on schoolwork, so much damage is done on so many different levels.

The trend is for parents to get support for a child in the subject in which his or her report card says the student needs improvement. I suggest to parents that they instead get an educational mentor for their child.

Many parents have already discovered the rewards of having such an educator working with their family. First and foremost, a good educational mentor ensures that the child maintains a positive approach to education in general. After this, support should be guided by the needs of the child.

I am an educational mentor. After working as a classroom teacher and learning-support specialist in different schools and countries for 20 years, I decided to focus on supporting children in all challenging and non-challenging aspects relating to education.

Not only do I support students in specific subject areas, I also help them improve the skills necessary to feel successful in all subjects. Educational mentors also focus on becoming experts in the areas in which a child shows talent.

Guidance may include improving a child’s organizational skills, study skills, exam skills or comprehension skills – even joining university courses online to further excel in subjects the child finds easy.

Every student is an individual, so it is only natural that no two students require the same kind of mentoring.

For me, it is important to ensure that students remain enthusiastic about school and education, even when they find it challenging or when they simply do not get along with their teacher or peers.

Students find it comforting to have a positive relationship with an educator who is “on their side.” Over time, this makes it easier for them to accept positive and constructive advice.

I see how much it means to my students to talk openly to me about their fears, shortcomings and the subjects they like and dislike. We laugh a lot and there is a mutual trust that I am able to develop. I use this bond very effectively to help students accept both their strengths and weaknesses while guiding them. They learn that asking for help and/or admitting that they do not understand something is perfectly fine. Above all, they learn to laugh at themselves.

Students and parents find it easier said than done to do homework together, so I ensure that they only do homework together when it does not cause conflict. This not only boosts the confidence of the student, but also helps parents understand the rewards of positive reinforcement.

As families need quality time together – and because many parents have demanding jobs and often spend time abroad for business purposes – they prefer not to spend precious family time doing schoolwork. I encourage parents to stay away from homework and instead indulge in fun activities when they are with their children.

Another area where an educational mentor plays an important role is in keeping parents well informed about their children’s academic progress. I ensure that I also get to spend quality time with parents talking about their children’s progress and stumbling blocks.

I build a good relationship with the parents and they understand that I am not judging them, but rather tuning them into their children’s scholastic lives.

Parents often have to overcome their own anxieties and feelings of guilt that are mostly related to either their lack of time or lack of knowledge about how to approach homework with their children.

I urge parents to enjoy the company of their children and to put aside homework when they have quality time together. Of course, parents need to know how their children are doing at school and if they are on task. But they can learn this by having a relaxed conversation with their children. 

**** Carol Crous has dedicated her life to easing the journey of children through their educational careers, bringing over 20 years of experience to her programs. She holds degrees in both Education and Educational Therapy. Today she has her own small practice and works with students of all ages using a holistic approach to help them maximize their potential. She can be reached at misscrous@hotmail.com.