Dear Counsellor:

I would like some tips on how to improve my son's grades. He is at a primary school. Thanks in advance.

- Colleen

Dear Colleen:

We all want our children to do well in school. Children need to feel loved and cared for. Teachers and parents need to help to nurture a love of academics. Some children are not interested or motivated to do bookwork. You need to show how relevant schoolwork is to other areas of life.

Building interest and motivation in your son is very important. Encourage him to do his homework on time, neat and correct. Allow him to develop responsibility for his homework so that he will gladly do it without much prompting. If he has problem areas, you should point this out to the teacher.

Encourage your son to read a lot of books. Read with him and let him make up his own stories. Let him try his hand at writing poetry. All this reading and writing will improve his oral and writing skills.

Your son should get enough sleep at nights and eat healthy meals. He should get fresh fruit juices and vegetables. Growing boys need lots of calories and nutrients. Make sure he is fully immunised so that he will remain well if an infectious disease is in the community.

Speak with his teachers about his academic performance and ask them to take an interest in his behaviour and his attitude towards schoolwork.

Is your son reading at the appropriate grade level? Is he hyperactive and disruptive? You may need to ask his teacher if she thinks he needs a psycho-educational assessment. As you can see, there are many reasons why your son may not be doing well. Follow these suggestions and your son's grade should improve.

Fountain of youth

Dear Counsellor:

My mother is elderly but very active. How can I keep her active?

- Maureen

Dear Maureen:

You are as old as you feel. Many 80- and 90-year-old people are very active in their communities. Keeping mentally and physically well is possible as you grow old. Learn a new skill, say, using the computer, or do a course in floral arrangement.

Get involved in church activities. Start a Bible study group. If her vision and hearing are not good, get them tested and let her wear the appliances given. Reading the Bible is helpful as it keeps an individual spiritually healthy. Reading is good as it keeps the mind active.

Crossword and other word puzzles are good for mental stimulation. These keep the mind flexible and agile. Some people write books about their lives and she may want to do this.

Helping around the house is important as it keeps one active and involved. She may just wash two pieces of clothing or iron two dresses. The fact that she is active and involved will go a long way to improving her self-esteem and satisfaction with life.

Let her use the telephone to call her friends, young and old. Let her be involved with her grandchildren so that she can keep up with current issues. Let her be involved in household decisions. Take her to a play or the movie. Keep her in the centre of activities.

For great advice on family and other life problems, call Dr Yvonnie Bailey-Davidson at 978-8602 or email yvonniebd@hotmail.com.