7 Simple Ways To Help Your Child Do Better At School

Helping your child do better at school is easier than you think.

All parents want to see their children do well at school. Unfortunately there is no miracle cure or one-size-fits-all formula that will see that wish come to fruition for all children. The fundamental rule is to keep the positive reinforcement attached to learning. If you value education and the opportunities it can afford then your children will learn to appreciate it in the same way.

Believe you can

Some parents feel that their lack of professional knowledge about curriculum and education precludes them from helping their children. The opposite of this is true. Your children value your help and your attention and that is half the battle when addressing learning concerns.

Listen to the studies

Studies into the psychology of learning styles point out some interesting findings. It has been proven that male children are more likely to respond to help for their education from a respected older male such as a Father, older brother or uncle. Whereas girls are open to either sex. Combining learning with a mutually shared activity such as sport, cooking, gardening or reading could illicit even more positive results.

Know the story

The progression through learning stages can also present challenges. What is important is staying invested in your child’s education. If you know about their teachers, subjects and workload then you will be more able to pre-emptively assist them with any concerns or issues which will inevitably arise. For high-school aged children always encourage them to tackle the issue on their own at first and if they do require more help let them know you are available for tutoring.

Here are some ways you can support your child’s natural learning which will also complement the skills they are learning in their school classrooms:

1. Read at home together or role-model it as an interesting past-time.
2. Take an interest in their homework and assignments.
3. For younger children make learning fun with games, songs and playtime to encourage them to adopt self-discovery and develop an inquisitive mind. There are a number of apps available for smart devices that can assist you in this pursuit.
4. Create a schedule for their learning and times when you are able to help them complete work.
5. Put a calendar on the fridge that outlines assessment dates and periods of examination.
6. Make everyday a school day – emphasise the educational value of everyday activities such as a trip to the supermarket and weighing up options to get value for dollar or at the petrol station for the ratio of kilometres per litre of petrol.
7. Most importantly keep the lines of communication open. They want to know you care about their concerns, whether they are small or large.

If all your attempts at investing in your child’s education have seen little or no improvement there are professionals who are trained and equipped to assist the learning progression of children. Tutors can play an essential role in the learning improvement of particular individuals. They will assess their individual learning needs and create tailor-made solutions to address their key difficulties.