As the school year moves along, many parents assume that their child’s solid or even superior performance will continue. When a child is bright, learns quickly, and brings home good grades, that seems reasonable. Teachers are pleased, homework takes minutes, and there is little reason to worry. But sometimes, that early success hides something important.

In my practice, I see capable children whose grades have tumbled in middle or high school despite excellent performance in elementary school. Their ability has not disappeared. What has changed is the amount of sustained effort required, and some have had very little practice giving it.

I often wish I could have reached these families earlier. An ounce of prevention really can be worth a pound of cure. If your child is doing well without working very hard, now is a good time to look beyond the report card.

The deception: “My child is doing well, so nothing needs to change”

Children with strong academic abilities often breeze through the early years. They finish assignments at school, complete homework on the ride home, and understand the material when questioned. Teachers praise their performance. Everything seems to confirm that the current approach is working.

However, another lesson may be taking shape beneath those good grades: “I’m smart, and smart means I don’t have to work very hard.” Nobody needs to say this aloud. The child’s daily experience keeps demonstrating it, and parents understandably........

© The Saratogian