With all the distractions of the 21st century it can be difficult to keep kids engaged and motivated in school. Although they are learning valuable lessons and building an academic foundation in school there are things that you can do at home to turn your average student into a stellar scholar.
Be involved.
Make sure that you are providing plenty of resources for your child. If no one in the house is able to help your child with homework, hire a tutor. Helping them to organize and complete their work will help prevent procrastination and ease their transition as they grow up into responsible adults.
Put a positive spin on learning.
When you share something new with your children, share it with enthusiasm! There has been a negative connotation associated with the word “school” for quite a while, but as a parent you have the power to change that. Teach your kids that learning isn’t a chore but an opportunity for a better future.
Get creative.
Research different ways to learn things. Maybe your child is a hands-on learner and sitting down listening to a lecture isn’t helpful. Figure out what kind of learner they are and then get creative. If they’re an auditory learner try to change the words to their favorite song in order to help memorize history facts. If they are a hands-on learner use objects to help with their math skills. The options are endless!
Turn everyday into a learning experience.
Try to incorporate math, engineering, technology and science into your daily conversation. These don’t have to be complex conversations, think of them as daily reminders.The next time you drive by a building you can mention architecture, or next time everyone is at the grocery store checking out you can mention math as the total adds up. Let them know that what they’re learning in school is applicable to what’s happening around the world. Essentially, a child’s desire to learn comes from the examples you set as parents.
Being a good role model for your child isn’t always easy, but using these tips and tricks will help you and your child grow closer, provide perspective so that you can get a deeper understanding of your child’s learning abilities, and, ultimately, will benefit your child in school now and later in life.
