Study Skills: How To Help Your Kids

Some years ago when touring the Scottish Highlands, I met a man who said something that's stuck with me.

Although quite advanced in years, he still enjoyed the routine of working his small croft. But didn't he feel the pace these days? Yes, he said, it's a day's work getting started.

No matter how he felt, he had to make the effort to get up and get on!

This doesn't apply only to farming.

Think of our children when home study time comes around: "It's a day's work getting started."

So how can we help our kids when their teachers aren't there to 'motivate' them?

There are a number of simple things we can do, but don't underestimate their effectiveness. Let's look at some.

First and foremost is a suitable place for studying.

So many students attempt to do their study in the living room or at the dining table where there are all kinds of distractions: people coming and going, the TV blaring, and so on.

Much better, then, to give the kids an area they see as their study space, even if it means making some sacrifices. It could be a new use for a spare room or just a quiet corner out of the way. If your kids can get online in their study area, so much the better.

A huge drawback to study is having to set-up an area and unpack books and materials. You'll make it much easier if your kids can leave everything set up for next time.

It's so much easier when all you have to do is sit down and pick up from where you left off!

It's easy to overlook the importance of having all the things you need for a study session close at hand. Imagine what it does to motivation when you have to stop every couple of minutes to ask: "Anyone seen my calculator?" or "Anyone got an eraser?"

It makes life so much easier when all the tools and materials for effective study are in front of you. You feel well-organized and this helps motivation:

Notebooks, ring binders, pencils, erasers, pens, wallets, a calculator, geometry equipment, science items, etc.

Most kids are on a limited budget, so it's usually appreciated when parents contribute these items as a goodwill gesture. It's also a sensible investment in our children's future.

It goes without saying the study room should be well-ventilated and maintained at an appropriate temperature. Nothing kills the study habit more than a lack of oxygen and an environment that's too hot or too cold!

But in some homes it's just not possible to set aside a study area. What then?

Cue the relatives, especially the grandparents! Most often they have room to spare, and think how pleased they'd be to see junior drop in to do his homework.

Or how about letting your kids team up with their friends at their house? Careful, though! It's so easy for unsupervised study sessions to deteriorate into gossip or chat sessions...

If that worries you, you could inquire whether the school runs a Homework Club or Supported Study classes after lessons. These are becoming more and more popular and teachers oversee them, so the homework gets completed.

This arrangement could be ideal. As parents you come up with the study materials. The school is there with the supervision and the study location. All the kids have to do is supply the required effort!

Doing all you can to provide homework help will pay huge dividends all round.

Here's to your parenting success!

Article Source: http://www.articleselections.com

Eager to improve your parenting skills? Check out Frank McGinty's ParentingBookGold for a free six-step report and access to essential parenting articles, plus the ultimate parenting book products.

Please Rate this Article

5 out of 54 out of 53 out of 52 out of 51 out of 5 

Not yet Rated