Just taken 7 yo DD to her ballet class, where she has been clowning around a lot instead of doing the dance steps....had a quick word with her teacher and she mentioned that she seems not to have the right attitude and self esteem. In the car I spoke with her asking why she was messing, because I believe she could do it if she tries....then she broke down in tears saying what if I can't pass the RAD exam because I can't remember the steps, but you will if you work at it and practice and try, but what if I fail? But you won't fail, because the teacher would not have put you forward if she didn't think you are capable? But I was messing because I can't remember the step, But that's only the first time you were taught those steps...etc..etc.
I've always tried explaining to her that when you learn new things, of course you can't do them at the start....But she seems to have this negative thinking stuck in her head. She seems to not like the idea of exams/tests even though I explain that it's just to show people what you can do and what you've learnt etc.
Help....is this normal behaviour from DD? I feel that now that we've started Yr 3, the pace and tempo of education is very different and more serious/formal....I worry about how she will handle all the very tests coming her way in the future if this is a sign of things....Just to add that she is a very capable and sociable child at school, progressing well and currently not struggling with any particular subject, so she shouldn't have reasons to doubt her abilities.
Are there any good parenting books I should be reading? What do I say or NOT say to help her be more positive? Is she feeling the pressure too much already? Is this not normal pressures every child faces sooner or later, be it tests at school, music or ballet exams?
I find parenting changes so much as the child grows and develops and I feel as if I'm suddenly in a new unknown territory which I'm not sure how to deal with....does anyone else feel this way?
TIA for reading my random rambles...