As parents, you play a critical role in your child’s academic success. Even if you don’t consider yourself an academic expert, there are several ways you can support your child’s learning and enhance their success in school.
There is a good chance that, at some point or another, you have felt overwhelmed when your child has faced an academic challenge, especially if the struggle centers around a topic you don’t know. You may have worried about how their year would end or how their struggles may affect their upcoming academic journey.
It is important to keep in mind that success isn’t just about the grades. Motivation and confidence come from developing habits and skills we need to tackle tough situations and manage stress. Students’ stress levels are significantly reduced when they know how to organize their materials and information, manage their time well, and communicate effectively. With these practical strategies, you can support your child’s learning and help them thrive.
Set Up A Study Space
Work with your child to pick a designated study spot at home. The goal is to choose a space that will help your child stay focused on homework or studying. There are a few key components that make up a good study space.
- Good lighting
- A desk or table big enough to hold all materials that are needed
- A chair to sit up straight
- Tools to keep materials organized (Pendaflex folder to store notes from class, shelf for books and binders or notebooks)
- Distraction-free (no TV, no phone, no access to social media or video games, no noise from other people in the home)
Work Together to Use a Planner or Calendar
Spend time talking about the importance of planning activities or things that need to get done. Use a shared calendar or planner to fill in everyone’s activities and due dates. Be sure to include extracurricular activities, time with family and friends, and other activities that each person may have. There are a variety of calendar apps that you can download and sync with everyone in your family to make planning extra easy. Working together to plan things out is a great way to build time management skills.
Work Together to Create an Effective Study Routine
Work together to come up with a consistent schedule for homework and study time. Remember to include breaks so that your child can keep their focus up. You should encourage your child to take the initiative and start on their work right when it was originally planned.
Collaborate with Teachers and the School
One of the biggest factors of academic success is parent engagement in their child’s learning. You are a valuable asset to your child. Be engaged at your child’s school. Talk with your child’s teachers often. Help the teachers as much as you can. Ask questions when you are unsure of things. Request extra resources if you need them. When you actively collaborate with your child’s teachers and the school, you become a strong advocate for your child during their academic journey.
Teach Resilience, Problem-solving, and Stress Coping Skills
Find opportunities at home to teach vital skills to your child like how to be resilient, solve problems, and cope with stressful situations. Use mistakes as learning opportunities. Allow your child to help make some decisions for the family. Don’t stress yourself out about how to get your child to learn these skills, being a model is the best tool for teaching.
It is important to remember that every student is unique. Different strategies may work better for some than others. Help your child become flexible by empowering them with different tools and strategies to navigate the challenges of school and keep a positive attitude toward learning.