In today’s highly competitive and pressurised world, we often forget that it’s the simple things in life that often help our children to thrive most in school. Routine, structure, healthy habits, reading, model behaviour, communication and interest and encouragement from a parental point of view all help the child to focus on the process rather than the product.
To establish a routine which nurtures dedication and even delight in education, there are a few simple stratagems you, as a parent, can put in place. With that in mind, here’s how to help your kids be more enthusiastic about school.
BOUNDARIES, GUIDANCE AND FREEDOM
It is important to have a good routine when it comes to bedtime, eating, and technology use at home. This helps your child to understand what is expected of them, developing solid foundations which can be transferred into the academic environment. It also inspires better habits and discipline in all the family.
In terms of guiding your child to be a keen student, parents should model the behaviour they hope to see in their children. ‘’Do as I do, not as I say’’ and all that…
Consider endeavouring to learn a new skill with your child as a team, demonstrating to them a strong work ethic, perseverance, and pride in the process regardless of its outcome. This should instil a positive attitude to learning which they can take with them into a school setting.
Talk to your child about your own interests, passions, anxieties and disappointments. This will, in turn, encourage them to reveal theirs. Though they might not be what you expect, this doesn’t mean that they possess any less intrinsic value. Cultivate an environment that allows your child the freedom to explore their passions, whatever they may be, and their enthusiasm for education as a whole will blossom, too.
AN ASPIRATIONAL, ACADEMIC MINDSET
Academic success is still vital to many chosen career paths, but it certainly isn’t the ‘be-all-and-end-all’ of education. Make sure your child understands that you want them to do their best, not necessarily be the best, and education is about so much more than simply achieving those A grades.
Your attitude towards your children’s teachers and the value of their education sets a precedent for them, too. Try not to let them hear you speaking negatively about their educators or the process of school and academia in general – this will only cultivate a potentially damaging mindset to school.
A SAFE SPACE FOR STUDY
It is important to have a designated time and space allocated for homework, to foster that academic mindset at home. Sometimes for children, it can be hard to get into the correct spirit to study at home, with the domestic space associated with anything but school.
Try to avoid blurring the boundaries, and instead stick to a schedule regarding homework and home study. Remove temptations such as phones, TVs and social media during home study hours, to encourage a dedication to the task at hand.
Read: 6 IDEAL tips on homeschooling, entertaining & staying sane with teenagers during a lockdown
MULTIPLE INTELLIGENCES
Pretest Plus, who offer a service that is aimed at helping students succeed, emphasise the importance of an expansive understanding of the very concept of intelligence, moving beyond core academic subjects and focusing on ‘’potential, logic, cognitive ability and the way a child thinks’’ as well as ‘’verbal and non verbal reasoning’’.
We couldn’t agree more. If your child is struggling with a particularly ‘traditional’ subject, don’t be overly concerned. Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligences is now widely respected in the world of education, and posits that we should move away from focusing too heavily on linguistic and logical/mathematical intelligence, instead embracing Spatial, Bodily-Kinesthetic, Musical, Interpersonal, Intrapersonal, and Naturalist intelligences, too.
To encourage your child to be more enthusiastic at school, cultivate a rich and diverse approach to hobbies and passions, and in the process, you’ll help them explore these different intelligences with an open mind.
MAKE LEARNING FUN
Another way to encourage this is to make learning flexible, fun and relevant. Show your children how academic subjects can be applied to real-life situations, helping to cement the facts they are learning at school.
From cooking and baking using math and science, travel plans that use geography and financial skills, free coding for kids that helps them design their own computer games, and even chemistry used in making yet another batch of slime, using real-world examples to demonstrate the usefulness of their study can be really helpful.
Go further, and offer real-life rewards for their hard work. Reward them with praise and personalized ribbons to honor their dedication and desire to learn. This gesture, together with affection and attention, can help foster a positive learning environment for the children and for you too. Keep the kids engaged by showing them creative ways to apply what they’ve learned.
CONSEQUENCES NOT PUNISHMENT
Motivate them using consequences rather than punishment. This will help to build their self-control as well as self-esteem and teach them effective problem-solving techniques. Allow your children to think independently, ask questions, and develop a sense of competence.
Do not overschedule their days, cutting down on extramural activities if necessary. Teach them simple breathing exercises, basic meditation, and relaxation techniques, as these have a powerful impact on the brain’s ability to learn and retain.
Also encourage friendships and a healthy social life as these provide essential life lessons. The last thing you want is your child resenting study due to a sense of FOMO of the big, wider world; instead, make their study about that big wider world!
If your child hasn’t yet started school and you’re wondering how best to nurture an appreciation for study, then check out these 5 benefits of preschool and early education for children.