It can be frustrating for parents who see their children excel academically at school but struggle in typical home life activities. Unfortunately, this is not an uncommon occurrence, as many children are conditioned to behave differently when subjected to different environments.
In this article, we will dive into why this is the case and explore some of the causes and solutions.
The Difference School Conditions Provide
School environments are typically much more structured and structured than home life. There are set rules and expectations for how one is to behave and act and that is what many children learn to adjust to. At home, it is much less structured and there are not as many expectations as to how a person ought to act.
This can be jarring for a student, as they are used to the stricter environment they find in school. Another key difference is the presence of authority figures in the classroom.
The teacher or professor is seen as the ultimate source of facts and their word is taken as truth. Children are conditioned to obey what they are told and there are usually far lesser chances of misbehaving in school than at home.
At home, it is much different. Parents become the authority figure and children may not take their word as seriously as they do with their teacher. This could lead to children not responding to parental requests as well as to teacher’s instructions.
The Need for Positive Reinforcement in Learning
Positive reinforcement is a highly effective way for children to learn. With their teacher, this may come in the form of praise, rewards and recognition for good work.
This helps them to form good habits and to learn better in the classroom setting. At home, however, this may be less prevalent. Parents may be more likely to yell and punish if rules are not followed and children may feel they are not being rewarded for doing a good job, or worse, being punished for something they have no control over.
This could cause them to become wary of trying new things or of performing tasks at home.
The Rewards for Doing Well in School
It’s not uncommon for parents to reward their children for performing well in school. This could be in the form of gifts, money or even special privileges. For children, who may not feel rewarded for doing good at home, this can be an extra incentive to perform better and to continue to strive for successes at school.
Environment at Home is Much More Relaxed
At school, children may feel pressure, whether it is real or imagined, to perform. They are surrounded by their peers and are constantly being judged or evaluated by the teacher or professor through various tests and assignments. Even if these pressures are minor, this can be enough to motivate some children to strive to do their best.
At home, however, this pressure may be much less intense and children may feel they don’t need to be motivated in order to succeed. This could be why they appear less willing to do household chores or to help around the house.
Social Environment at School Motivates Children to Succeed
When a child is surrounded by their peers, it can be very motivating for them to do their best. A sense of competition is created and children may strive to stay ahead of their peers.
This could be why they do so well in classes and why they are so willing to put in extra effort when it comes to schoolwork. At home, however, this competitive atmosphere does not exist. There is no one to compare themselves to and no one to impress.
Lack of a Support Network at Home
At school, a support network is usually present in the form of their peers or their teacher. If a child needs help, they can usually find somebody that is willing to lend a hand. This makes school a much less intimidating experience and one they can find success in.
At home, however, this is not the same. Parents may not always be available to answer questions or to help out and children may not be as willing to ask for help if it’s not readily available.
This could explain why children find it easier to succeed at school than at home.
Comparing Academic Success to Home Chores
It is important to remember that academic success is much different than completing household chores. Academic success requires that a child learn something new and put in effort. Completing household chores, however, may not require much effort or thought and children may not feel rewarded for completing them.
This lack of reward could make them much less interested in doing them.
Family Dynamics Impact Performance at Home
Family dynamics can also have a large impact on how a child performs at home. If the family is particularly chaotic, the child may have a harder time performing given tasks or following instructions. They may also be less likely to respond favorably to their parents’ requests if they feel they will not be taken seriously.
Parents Can Help Facilitate Learning at Home
Parents should take an active role in helping their children learn and grow. If a child is struggling at home, it’s important to not get angry and to have patience.
Give them tasks that are appropriate for their age and abilities and make sure to provide them with tools and resources to help them complete them. Encourage interaction and provide positive reinforcement for their successes. Give them feedback and try to involve them in decision making.
Understanding the individual needs of your child is key to helping them succeed.
Making Home Life Fun
If a child feels that home life is all about following orders and completing chores, they may not be as motivated to excel. Try to make home life an enjoyable experience for your child.
Allow them to express themselves and give them some level of control. Provide them with meaningful activities and encourage playtime. Show your child that you value them and appreciate their efforts.
This can go a long way in building self-esteem and confidence and can help them find success not only academically but in other aspects of life as well.
Conclusion
It can be difficult for parents to understand why their children are successful academically yet struggle in other aspects of life. There are many things that can contribute to this discrepancy, such as a lack of reward, different expectations between school and home life, and a lack of a support system at home.
It’s important for parents to take an active role in their child’s learning and to provide an enjoyable and supportive environment for their children. Showing your child that you value and appreciate them is key to helping them excel in all areas of life.