Should My Child Repeat a Grade?

It happened again. Another semester is over, and Tyler’s parents open his report card only to see poor grades yet again. Each year families find themselves in this difficult situation and are left with the tough decision of whether or not to have their child repeat a grade. It’s a stressful decision for everyone involved.

One reason for the stress is that repeating a grade does not guarantee success. Great Schools, a leading educational nonprofit, notes that repeating a grade, or grade retention, “is a very difficult and emotionally charged decision.” A teacher may recommend grade retention if a student does not make progress in core subjects like reading or math. However, grade retention doesn’t always work. Children who deal with learning or attention issues may not improve by simply repeating the same grade twice. In fact, students may end up suffering from low self-esteem or other social and emotional problems as a result (healthychildren.org). Researchers and educators recommend seeking all options first.

Finding the root cause of learning and focus issues may help children like Tyler avoid grade retention. Sometimes the cause is simple: lack of sleep. When children fail to get adequate sleep over time, they may experience a drop in IQ or difficulty with higher-level thinking. A “ tired brain becomes incapable of forming the connections needed to embed new knowledge, memories, and skills” (Parents.com). If a sleep disorder is the cause of your child’s learning problems, there is good news.

Many Tylers have been successfully treated at KoalaKIDZzz® thanks to an understanding of Sleep-Related Breathing Disorders (SRBD). Pediatric Obstructive Sleep Apnea results in fragmented sleep due to a compromised airway interrupting sleep, hormone production regulation, jaw development and daytime performance. When a child’s airway is narrow, underdeveloped, or constricted, the child can struggle to get enough oxygen during sleep. Oxygen deprivation during sleep can lead to serious health, learning and behavior issues for children as well as adults. In fact, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine notes a link between sleep disordered breathing and lower average grades.

Often when a child experiences SRBD, the solution may be to remove the tonsils and adenoids through surgery. But, unfortunately, this “solution” does not always provide long term results. One study in the The Journal of Pediatrics found that only 25% of children who had the surgery no longer experienced sleep-related symptoms. Parents can be left feeling frustrated when the sleep interruptions return or continue even after their child has had surgery to remove the tonsils and adenoids..

Before making drastic decisions such as surgery or grade retention, consider a Free Screening for your child at KoalaKIDZzz®, a division of Koala® Center For Sleep & TMJ Disorders in City, State. Children are provided non-invasive, non-prescription treatment options that results in proper airway development, guided growth for teeth and jaws, and a better night’s sleep.

Check our Locations Page to find a Koala Center For Sleep & TMJ Disorders near you and discover how you can get a good night’s sleep too!

To learn more visit KoalaKIDZzz.com.

Additional Services You May Need

▸ KoalaKIDZzz®
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▸ Snoring
▸ TMJ Disorder
▸ Fatigue
▸ Sleep Disorders
▸ Weight Loss
▸ CPAP Alternative
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