Parents play a major role in a child’s success in school, and there are many things you can do to help your child get good grades and excel in their studies.
In this article, we will go over several things you can do to give your child an advantage when they start school and help them succeed.
Planning & Organizing
The core of a productive homework/study routine involves plenty of planning and organization. The more you can help your child learn the benefits of planning and organizing skills, the more easily and effectively they will manage their workload.
To start, help your child begin managing their calendar. Whenever they get an assignment, encourage them to mark the due date in the calendar to not lose track of any deadlines. You may also want to encourage your child to schedule time for homework and studying to keep track of what they need to accomplish and when.
At The Vanguard School, all students in grades K-12 are equipped with a planner at the beginning of the year to help guide them in their planning and organization.
Whatever calendar device you use, make sure to encourage your child to schedule study time and leisure time. This accountability will help your child stay on track with their homework while ensuring they still have plenty of time left over to relax and have fun.
Also, teach your child to create lists, such as to-do lists, school supply shopping lists, etc. Crossing out completed items on lists like this can be a relief to children and offers the satisfaction of having successfully finished tasks.
The goal is to make your child’s life easier by keeping an organized schedule and planning ahead of time. Keep it simple, offer your help, and explain to your child that by taking the time to plan and organize, they will excel in school while also having more time left over for fun and play!
Create A Learning Space
One of the most powerful things you can do to support your child in their studies is to help them create a learning space within your home dedicated solely to the purpose of studying and working on homework.
There are several key factors for creating the ideal learning space:
1. Find a Quiet Place
The first step is to find a quiet area where your child can concentrate. Ideally, this might be a spare room, but it can be their bedroom or any other distraction-free part of the house.
Consider experimenting with white noise or instrumental background music if it helps your child to focus better. For some children, this helps tune out noises and improves concentration, but every child is different, and you will need to work together to determine what works best.
2. Eliminate Distractions
There should be no distractions in the study space or anything that can interrupt your child’s concentration.
Children are surrounded by distractions in smartphone notifications, social media, TV, video games, etc. These distracting influences have a destructive effect on a child’s ability to concentrate on their studies. Encourage your child to clear away potential distractions from their study space. Phones, TVs, computers, tablets, and any other electronic device that is not needed for learning should be turned off and put away.
Also, be aware of any other possible distractions such as pets, and make sure to inform siblings and other family members not to interrupt your child during study time.
3. Keep All Equipment Nearby
You will want to keep your child’s learning space stocked and equipped with everything they will need for their studies.
Include a desk or other flat surface with ample space for their books and supplies, as well as a comfortable chair they can sit in for a while without getting uncomfortable. Also ensure that they have easy access to all the supplies they need — such as notebooks, pencils, erasers, pencil sharpeners, calculators, rulers, etc.
4. Keep it Neat and Organized
Encourage your child to keep their learning space neat and clutter-free to create an optimal environment for productivity and learning. Explain to your child the importance of staying organized and consider offering them a meaningful reward each week if they keep their space neat and clean.
5. Add a Fun, Personal Touch
Make your child’s learning space feel inviting by encouraging them to decorate it with their favorite colors, posters, artwork, movie, or video game themes.
This is a place your child will be spending a lot of time learning and getting important work done, so it is important to make it as inviting as possible so that your child feels excited to work there.
Tutoring or Mentoring
Tutoring or mentoring can help significantly improve your child’s academic performance and grades. If a child is struggling, the increased competence and confidence they will acquire can dramatically boost self-esteem.
We encourage parents to be the child’s first option as a tutor or mentor. The most successful students often have parents who play an active role in their education and closely participate in their academic life.
However, a parent might not always be able to provide all the academic support and guidance their child needs, and in these cases, a tutor or mentor can be a great way to help your child succeed in school.
Many schools, including The Vanguard School, offer in-school or extracurricular tutoring and mentoring programs. If you are still deciding on a school for your child, make sure to ask about program availability.
Balance Fun, Breaks, & Study Time
It’s essential for children to take regular breaks during study time to stay fresh and focused while learning.
Encourage your child to balance study and free time, and make sure your child is not exhausted by an overwhelming study schedule. The key is to challenge and gently push your child to grow, but not so hard that they get exhausted or burnt out.
Parental Support
One of the most important things you can do for your child is to show them constant interest and support in their academic and personal life. By making an effort to play an active role in your child’s education now, you show them that you care and that they can turn to you whenever they need help or guidance in the future.
It can be incredibly beneficial to take 20 minutes to put your phone away and talk to them after each school day. Ask them about their day, and actively listen to their response. This small daily habit will go a long way in letting your child know that you care to be involved in their academic life and that you are there to support them.
Enrollment Process At The Vanguard School
The Vanguard School is a tuition-free, highly-rated, and esteemed charter school for grades K-12. The Vanguard School is the school of choice for parents seeking an institute where their child will prosper and be challenged to grow in an encouraging and supportive environment.
At The Vanguard School, the enrollment process is a simple 3-step process. Please visit our enrollment page or call our Enrollment Office at (719) 471-1999 x101 to learn more! We look forward to hearing from you!
