In society today, academic success in childhood is often seen as a predictor of future success in life. Everyone wants their child to fulfill their academic potential and learn new skills that will be valuable to them for the rest of their lives.
However, knowing exactly how to help your child learn can be difficult. What practical steps can be taken? Keep reading for 10 ways to help your child learn faster and achieve academic excellence.
1. Read To Your Child
Studies have shown that one of the most effective ways to foster a child’s academic growth is to read to them out loud. You can pick fun books with your child that they will enjoy, and making reading aloud part of your routine is even more effective!
This allows children to develop their listening comprehension, and it also helps them to think of reading as a fun activity and not just something that has to be done for school, which is important because a love of learning creates intrinsic motivation, which is a key factor in academic success.
Additionally, discussing the stories you are reading may help your child to develop an understanding of a variety of themes and topics that they will likely see again and again.
2. Show Interest In Your Child’s Education
It has also been established that children whose parents or guardians are involved in their education generally have more academic success. You can do this in many different ways. Supporting your children at home is a great way to foster their learning. Make a habit of asking your child about what they’re learning at school.
Help them with their homework, or if they don’t need much help, ask them to teach you the concepts they’re learning, as this will help them reinforce the idea. The simple act of showing an interest in what your child is learning will encourage them to continue to learn new skills.
3. Look for Natural Learning Opportunities
Make learning fun instead of a chore by looking for natural learning opportunities in day-to-day life. Maybe a bird is building a nest outside your kitchen window, and this inspires an interest in the life cycle of birds that your family can research together.
You can also take your child to local museums or historic sites and encourage them to have fun while learning about a variety of subjects.
Another idea is to look for real-life connections to what they are currently learning in school. Show them how you use addition and subtraction to pay at the grocery store, or how you use science to make brownies!
4. Teach Your Child How to Study
Children normally start taking tests in grade school, but they most likely do not naturally know how to study for these tests. Providing them with study tips can be a great way to help them succeed.
Be aware of when your child has upcoming tests, and instead of simply reminding them to study, create a study plan with them and help them work on it a little each day instead of doing all of their preparation the night before.
This will set them up to have good study habits as they advance to middle school, high school, and even college.
5. Focus on Learning, Not Grades
It is easy to hone in on your child’s grades and on the expectation that they make all A’s, but this is not the best way to support your child’s academic achievement.
Factors such as learning styles and test anxiety can affect grades, and the important thing is that your child is learning, not that they get perfect grades.
It is important to encourage your child to do their best, but it is also important to understand that their best may vary between subjects or even with time and to communicate to your child that this is okay. The goal is for them to learn and to develop a love for learning.
6. Give Your Child Learning Supports As Necessary
This can look like a variety of different things. If your child is in middle or high school and is struggling with a certain topic, consider getting them a tutor. Remind your child that this is not a bad thing and that everyone needs support for different things.
Investing in online prep courses can also help your child achieve academic excellence. For example, NAPLAN practice tests can help your child prepare for evaluations in reading, numeracy, language conventions, and writing.
Practice tests like those offered by NAPLAN can help your child develop confidence and strengthen their academic weaknesses.
7. Routine, Routine, Routine
Children thrive on structure and routines, and establishing healthy routines will help them succeed both at school and at home. Help your child maintain a consistent sleep schedule, and make sure they eat a nutritious breakfast before school every day.
This will ensure that your child is best prepared to learn and perform their best. Setting aside an established time and location for homework and studying is also an effective way to get your child into a routine of effective study habits.
8. Know Your Child’s Learning Style
There are many types of learners, and knowing your child’s learning style can go a long way in helping them achieve academic excellence. This article on learning styles can help you identify what kind of learner your child is.
Talk to your child about their learning style, and help them identify strategies that can help them learn in a way that is most effective for them.
Remind them that their peers likely have different learning styles, and therefore might learn a certain topic with more or less ease than they do, but that this is not a reflection of intelligence.
9. Communicate With Your Child’s Teachers
Stay in touch with your child’s teachers by attending parent-teacher conferences, and don’t be afraid to schedule meetings with your child’s teachers if you have any concerns or questions.
Most teachers are more than happy to meet with their students’ parents or guardians, and welcome the opportunity to maintain open communication about your child’s performance in school.
Staying in touch with your child’s teachers and making sure you are on the same page about your child’s behavior and performance in school is an important way to stay informed about your child’s education.
10. Be Patient
Academic success is not an overnight achievement, and most children will likely struggle at some point along the way. Remember to be patient and encouraging towards your child, and work together to find solutions.
Remind them that learning is the goal, make sure to point out their strengths when they are struggling, and help them apply those strengths to their weaker areas.
Staying patient through the difficult parts will show your child it’s okay to struggle and encourage them to keep working on their weak points.
Final Thoughts on How to Help Your Child Learn
Your child’s academic success is an important part of healthy development, and hopefully, this list has helped you understand how to help your child learn.
Remember that every child is different and that learning is a lifelong process, and don’t be afraid to get them help when they need it, whatever that should look like. For more information about children and education, be sure to check out the rest of our website!
