How Do Bad Influences Affect Kids' Schoolwork?

Bad Habits

• Listening to certain types of music or playing particular types of video games are often blamed for a child's lack of academic success. But even good habits, such as reading, can interfere with formal education. If your child has a habit of reading novels during math class, his reading habit is interfering with his academic success. Any habit that interferes with your child getting a good night's sleep also will diminish his ability to do well academically, and might even limit his ability to behave well in school.

Friends

• Although friends are critical influences on your child, you still have options for exerting your influence, according to "NebGuide: Friendships, Peer Influence and Peer Pressure During the Teen Years," a publication of the Lincoln-Nebraska University Extension. Friends can introduce pursuits such as games, music, reading material, language and behavior that you might prefer to keep away from your child. To combat inappropriate influence by friends, monitor your child's relationships by inviting his friends to your home. Provide opportunities for positive social interaction with youngsters his age. Talk with your child about any behavior you observe that makes you feel uneasy.

Home

• Home life can have a negative effect on some children's academic success. Busy households with two working parents might not have time to keep up with homework and communication from school, according to "Out-of-School Influences and Academic Success -- Background, Parental Influence, Family Economic Status, Preparing for School, Physical and Mental Health," published online by State University. The article goes on to say that although living below the poverty line does not automatically mean your child will fail in school, statistically children in less affluent homes are twice as likely to be expelled, suspended or to drop out of high school. According to an article from the Michigan Department of Education, children spend 70 percent of their time outside of school. The article adds that parental expectations are the most reliable predictors of a child's likelihood of success in school.

Neighborhood

• A neighborhood where your child feels safe when walking to and from school or catching the school bus affects your child's academic performance positively. When children are afraid to go to school or when they are picked on or bullied on the playground, they might associate their unhappiness with school. More than that, when children live in a neighborhood where they do not have access to a library and cannot easily buy school supplies, it is harder for them to do their school work.