Back to School: Encourage good study habits
It is easy for school-age children to fall into the habit of doing homework at the last minute.
ENCOURAGING children to be enthusiastic about studying has always been something of an uphill battle for parents.
Parents must be firm in imposing strict study habits to prevent their children from falling into the trap of last-minute cramming. It is never too early to encourage your child to have good study habits. A solid study habit will benefit your child throughout his school life, especially at university where he will need it the most.
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The most important step in developing good study habits is the study area. The kitchen table is for eating, the desk is for studying. Set a time-frame for homework and studying every school night and stick to it.
Help your child organise his school supplies. For example, rulers, protractors and calculators belong in the top drawer, paper in the other and so on.
Distractions must be minimised. School lessons cannot stick when your child is listening to music, watching television or surfing the internet at the same time.
It is important to check your child’s progress. Not only does this keep him on his toes, he will appreciate the fact that you actually care about how he’s doing in school.
Do not tolerate sloppy or careless homework but make sure that you are letting your child learn at his own pace. Constructive criticism is better than being angry or impatient when you think your child is learning too slowly.
As a parent, pride in your child’s academic accomplishments can motivate him to do even better. Give praise when it is due, but avoid bribing with gifts as a prize for good marks.
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