The most important thing to keep in mind if your student has been held back is that grade retention is neither all good nor all bad.
From an academic standpoint, make sure they are getting the learning support they need to have a successful experience when they return to school.
Emotionally supporting a child who is getting held back can be challenging because they may experience some combination of the following:
- Feelings of anger, sadness, and frustration
- Lack of motivation to make an effort in school
- Sense of worthlessness
- Resentment toward school/teachers/parents
Especially during the weeks before your student repeats a year, communicating in a calm, thoughtful manner can reduce the stigma and give their confidence a much-needed lift.