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It’s that exciting time of the year again where your child moves onto the next grade to make new friends and memories–as well as take on different challenges! As a parent, we can support our children during this stage of their life by providing them with the resources they need to succeed.
Check out these great ways you can help your child thrive in their learning environment:
Invite your child to maintain an open dialogue about their school life with you
Start by always asking the question, “How was school today?” every day. Staying updated with the events in your child’s everyday life will give you insight on how to better help them, in addition to sharing another laugh or two at the dinner table. Emphasize that you want to hear about both the good and bad, and they never need to worry or feel guilty about any shortcomings they may face. At the end of the day, open dialogue is meant to strengthen a bond with your child, keep you both on the same page, and make them more comfortable communicating with you in general.
Accommodate their educational and personal needs
Every child has a specific learning style and personal needs that enable them to function at their best. If they struggle in one subject versus another, consider hiring a tutor or look into tutoring services if their school offers any. Emphasize to your child that we all need help in some way because we can’t do everything perfectly! In regards to personal needs, think about how their emotional well-being can remain consistent. Perhaps, they benefit most from having daily conversations about their feelings or need extra encouragement to do well. Whatever the action or affirmation, approaching their needs from the get-go can help them avoid larger problems and bottling up any negativity in the future. We recommend utilizing the independent living programs in Riverside County, California, or any one of your local foster care agencies that provide this. These programs are designed to help children succeed just as much as they teach essential life skills.
Create a study environment for them at home
A quiet environment is essential for maximizing productivity and keeping your child focused on the task at hand! At home, you can help your child create a space dedicated to studying and homework by turning it into an enjoyable and energizing place to be. Furthermore, remove distractions from the surrounding environment, and make the space inviting by adding elements that positively reinforce or optimize learning, such as a whiteboard, proper bookshelf, and ample lighting. The physical environment that encourages learning is just as important as the attitude and determination to learn!
Instill the habit of efficiently managing one’s priorities at an early age
There will be moments where your child does not want to do their homework–or maybe, they never want to do it at all! We’ve all been there. It’s imperative, however, to teach your child that they must learn how to prioritize their tasks accordingly, and play always comes later–but that’s what makes finishing one’s homework so rewarding in the first place: the incentive of having fun! Sit down with your child to plan their homework and play schedule; blocking aside periods of time throughout the day will keep them motivated to finish their studies. Plus, the added benefit of showing your child how to manage their time efficiently is that they will carry the habit well into their educational career in high school and college.
Monitor their use of electronic devices
If your child is not careful with their use of electronic devices, hours will pass before they know it! Therefore, set firm boundaries with your child’s use of technology. Emphasizing that time is of the essence when they’re at home and being intentional with playtime will prevent them from feeling pressured to rush through assignments. Furthermore, monitoring electronic device use positively impacts their health since it leaves more room for them to replace free time with more beneficial activities such as exercising or reading.
Speaking of reading, encourage them to read more!
You can never read enough books! Reading comprehension should be an ongoing skill that your child develops throughout the entirety of their life. It enables them to understand and absorb information more effectively and experience stories different from their own, ultimately fostering empathy for others. If your child comes to love reading now, they will be sure to love it forever!
Every school year will pose a new set of challenges, but that doesn’t mean your child isn’t ready to take them head-on. No matter the obstacles they may face in the future, your child is bright and capable of overcoming them! As such, the best thing you can do for them is to simply be their loudest cheerleader and support system every step of the way.
