Perfectionism

1
Perfectionism
Self esteem is dependent upon high grades and
perfect projects.
2
Parent Perfectionism

• Watch for
• The childs work is fine tuned by the parent to
  ensure the perfect grade.
• The child may not be the perfectionist and may
  eventually lose interest in learning because they
  need to devote energy to pleasing the parent.
• Most work that comes in from home is excellent.
  In class work may be less than perfect.
• The child may cry or plead with a teacher if a
  grade on anything is less than an A.

3
Reluctance or Avoidance

• Watch for
• Child who doesnt hand in a project even though
  it is done. They are so displeased with their
  work that they cant bring themselves to hand in
  something less than perfect.
• Absent on a day they must speak or present in
  front of the class.
• Entirely unrealistic expectations of what their
  work should be like
• May be afraid others will find out they arent
  really as smart as thought so they prefer to
  avoid showing any work.

4
Internal Pressure

• Watch for
• Child who worries about following all the rules
  exactly.
• Will not deviate from the teachers directions
  and is impatient with peers who do.
• Child will redo work several times before handing
  it in and may spend more than reasonable time on
  a project perfecting it to the exclusion of all
  other tasks (socialization, eating, sleeping,
  other classwork).