Turkish psychologists urge supportive parenting during report‑card season

Clinical psychologists Seda Akcan and Eda Atay advise parents not to treat report cards as a measure of a child's worth. They recommend first asking children how they feel and listening to emotions such as excitement, anxiety or disappointment before looking at grades. Akcan says, "First listen to their feelings," and adds, "I love you for who you are, not for your grades."

The experts stress unconditional love, avoiding comparison, punishment or using grades as a threat. They urge parents to discuss effort, plan future learning and let the summer break be a period of rest rather than intensive study. Atay notes, "Supportive, accepting and solution‑focused parental attitudes strengthen children’s academic motivation and self‑esteem." Supportive, solution‑oriented responses boost confidence, while critical, fear‑based approaches increase anxiety and can harm the parent‑child relationship.