Ensuring that your child has the tools that they need to get ahead in their education is one of your most important roles as a parent. There is nothing that can replace a solid education, making it important that you put a top emphasis on this aspect of your child’s development. Here are five proven ways by which you can help your child get ahead in their education.
Make it Personal
Any educator will tell you that learning is a personalized experience. Teaching is not a one-size-fits-all approach that will work for every student. If you want your student to live up to their true potential, it is important that you understand how your child learns so that you can best support it.
One of the best ways to do this is to create a personalized learning strategy for your child’s specific needs and strengths. An individualized education plan will ensure that your child is being reached on their level and continually challenged. This will encourage them to reach their highest potential.
Teach Them Basic Organizational and Study Skills
You are never too young to learn basic organizational and study skills. While many parents focus on specific academic areas, it is the organizational and study skills that form the cornerstone of good learning habits. There are a number of age-appropriate ways that you can support the cultivation of these habits.
For younger children, start with teaching them to make and stick with a basic to-do schedule. Once they get older, you can begin to teach them how to use a desk planner to keep track of all of their responsibilities and deadlines. Not only will these skills help them to excel in school, but it will also provide them with invaluable life skills.
Stay Involved
A significant predictor of a child’s success in school is parental involvement. You can do this in various ways, depending on your own personal schedule. Start by making it a point to attend every back-to-school night. This will help you to establish a connection with the teachers so that you feel comfortable going to them with concerns.
If your schedule allows, it is a good idea to try to volunteer in the classroom as needed. This will give you an insight into the classroom dynamic, the way your child interacts with the teacher and classmates, and much more. It will also be easier to talk with your child about their day if you are more familiar with the routine.
Ensure Your Child is Ready to Learn
You cannot expect your child to be ready to learn each day if they are not feeling their best. Be sure that your child is getting adequate sleep each night so that they begin the day in the best position to absorb new information.
You can also support quality learning by making sure that they eat a healthy breakfast each morning. A nutritious breakfast will provide the energy that they need to power their brain and body. If mornings are difficult for you, make it easier by preparing healthy grab and go items for your child to nosh on during the commute to school.
Create a Work Space at Home
Your child will learn best if they have a positive place to work on their studies at home. Start this space with a comfortable chair and desk. There also needs to be sufficient lighting in place. Most importantly, the area needs to be free of distractions so your child can concentrate.
It is also important that you equip this space with the proper tools and supplies. You do not want your child to have to hunt down what they need to be successful in school. As your child gets older, you will want to make sure that they have the appropriate technological equipment to stay on top of their work and continue to push themselves to excel.
As a parent, it is your job to take your child’s education into your own hands so that they make the most out of all of these opportunities. These five tips provide a great starting point as you support your student’s educational endeavors.