St Anne's Catholic Parish Primary School Newsletter

Learning Diversity

Dear Families,

 

If you feel that your child may need extra support or has a Disability that the school is not aware of, please contact the office and ask to speak to Sally Thomas or email me sthomas@saseaford.catholic.edu.au

Understanding Perfectionism in Primary School Children: A Guide for Parents

As parents, we all want the best for our children. We want them to thrive, succeed, and feel proud of their accomplishments. However, one common challenge that can arise during their school years is perfectionism. This desire to achieve perfection can manifest in many ways and, while it might seem like a positive trait, it can sometimes lead to stress, anxiety, and frustration for both children and parents.

What is Perfectionism?

Perfectionism is the tendency to set unrealistically high standards for oneself and to be overly critical when those standards are not met. In children, this might look like a constant drive to achieve perfect grades, flawless work, or be the best in everything they do. While striving for excellence can be healthy, perfectionism often comes with a fear of making mistakes and an inability to feel satisfied with their efforts.

Signs of Perfectionism in Children

It’s important to recognize when perfectionism may be affecting your child. Some common signs include:

  • High levels of self-criticism: Children may focus on mistakes and struggle to accept anything less than perfect.
  • Fear of failure: They may avoid new challenges or tasks they’re unsure about, worried they won’t do them perfectly.
  • Overworking or excessive effort: Children might spend an inordinate amount of time on assignments, revising and redoing work, without knowing when to stop.
  • Perfectionistic behaviors in other areas: These can include excessive neatness, rigid routines, or a reluctance to ask for help.

The Impact of Perfectionism

While striving for excellence can motivate children, perfectionism can have negative consequences:

  • Increased stress and anxiety: The pressure to always be perfect can cause children to feel overwhelmed or anxious about their performance.
  • Fear of making mistakes: Children may become so focused on doing everything perfectly that they avoid taking risks or trying new things.
  • Low self-esteem: If children are constantly aiming for perfection and never quite feel satisfied, they may develop a poor sense of self-worth or feel that their efforts are never enough.

Helping Your Child Manage Perfectionism

As a parent, you play a crucial role in helping your child navigate perfectionism in a healthy way. Here are some strategies that can help:

  1. Encourage a growth mindset: Teach your child that mistakes are a natural part of learning and growing. Emphasize the importance of effort and perseverance over perfection.
  2. Praise effort, not just results: Celebrate your child’s hard work, creativity, and determination, rather than just the outcome. This helps them value the process instead of only the end product.
  3. Model self-compassion: Show your child how to be kind to themselves when they make mistakes. Demonstrate how you learn from your own errors and how you’re not defined by them.
  4. Set realistic expectations: Help your child understand that it’s okay not to be the best at everything. Set achievable goals and remind them that progress is what matters most.
  5. Create a supportive environment: Ensure your child feels safe making mistakes and asking for help. Let them know that learning is a journey, and it’s okay not to be perfect.

Conclusion

Perfectionism, if not managed, can limit a child’s potential and contribute to unnecessary stress. By understanding the signs and fostering a supportive and realistic environment, you can help your child develop a healthier mindset—one that embraces growth, resilience, and the joy of learning without the burden of unrealistic expectations.

Remember, it’s not about being perfect—it’s about being the best version of themselves, and that includes learning how to accept imperfection.

 

IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING SENDING MEDICAL INFORMATION AND REPORTS

As a result of the Quality Assurance process and discussion. It is recommended that all medical documentation and reports that families are sending to staff be sent via email or in a hard copy.  Please do not use the seesaw app to send medical information to school.

 

Sally Thomas

Diversity Leader