Whenever your child comes home with a poor assessment - anything from a D on a report card, a low grade of a test, a bad mark on a project, or a note from the teacher - it is difficult to stay calm. Your child may be upset by the result or may try to act nonchalant, but for a parent, a bad mark or grade can feel sickening.

Don't despair though - there are a few basic steps you can follow to encourage your child and ensure better school results in the future:

1. Control your own reaction. Your child will look to you for help