These six steps will help your child learn – Think Local

How do children learn?

Step by step.

Lesson by Lesson.

Skill by skill.

Success students will often be stronger than others in certain academic areas.

“Some students will be challenged enough to keep up with their required learning skills and concepts, and others will not be challenged enough,” says Sylvan Learning Kelowna Center director Louise Taverner. “All are problems that they have their own set of issues.

Many parents have heard their child say, “I’m bored!” as a result of what homework and study time presents. It can be typical for students to be bored on occasion; However, if they make it a constant problem it can be a very big problem. In order to tackle this issue, early intervention is paramount and comes in the form of study skills practice. Key components of this are discipline, organizational skills and goal setting.

“These components are not exclusive to academics and can be found in all walks of life, such as sports and the arts,” says Taverner.

The components of the study skills can be as simple as two or three years of age. This practice is a good springboard for children to develop for themselves, what they enjoy and what they have mastered in increasing self-awareness.

Self-exploration of this activity at an early age or not, it’s never too late to build this foundation. Educators have identified key areas that are underdeveloped. This is how it is involved. How do you study for a test? How do you understand reading? How do you organize your time to hand over your assignments and projects on time? These challenges, along with these six simple steps:

1. Form a Partnership

Frustrated parents can often fall into the trap of telling their children and teenagers to improve their grades and help them identify what areas they are in. This is a two-way communication of a constant flow of help. Together, what steps need to be taken for improvement. “Encourage your child to take responsibility for their learning process and their individual success,” says Taverner.

Remember that every child is different, with unique needs and learning styles. Help your child learn in a way that is personalized to the best fit.

2. Understand Your Child’s Learning Style

Generally, children have learning for three different tendencies. Students can be visual (learn by seeing), auditory (learn by hearing), kinesthetic (learn by doing) or a combination of these. Parents need to identify which style is unique to their child. It is imperative that the child develops study habits that mesh with their personal learning style. If you help your children work on their own styles, they will study more.

Visual learners prefer to take classroom notes and read while learning. To assist these types of learners, parents can utilize charts, create summary outlines and help students highlight keywords in their notebooks.

Auditory learners enjoy classroom discussions and verbal instructions. Auditory-focused students will benefit from recounting their notes aloud, tape recording their classes if allowed, and educating and participating in discussion or study groups.

Kinesthetic learners favor active learning and frequent study breaks. Parents of tactile learners should use touch, action and hands-on activities during homework time. For example, use flash cards, create games that help with fact memorization, and teach breathing and relaxation techniques to help your child focus.

3. Choose a Time and Place

Just like adults, children and teenagers work according to their natural schedules. “This ‘sweet’ spot around a study schedule is the best thing to do,” says Taverner. “Their schedule should not only include homework completion but also reading and recognition achievements.”

There is a rule of thumb dedicated home study time. Ten minutes is the grade level from the Grade 1 to 12. Students start with 10 minutes of daily study in Grade 1 and then add 10 minutes in each grade. If you’re an older child, take small steps to get them used to this regime. This is also a good practice to use for a variety of learning activities.

Create a homework zone; study for your home in an area, complete with reference materials such as paper, pens and markers. This area should be free from distractions and study tools readily available. Be flexible, and keep in mind that each child responds differently to particular environments. One child may work well at a desk with quiet music in the background, while another functions better spread out across the floor.

4. Know the Purpose

Discuss with your child why they are reading a specific chapter or completing a major chapter of their general knowledge with the help of an assignment. Have them read or complete comprehension questions once they understand the key points. Critical thinking skills such as organizing tasks such as an assignment, or how to study certain tests — such as multiple choice for specific knowledge and written test for general knowledge.

5. Celebrate Accomplishments

Set weekly milestones. Big projects and exams can be scheduled on a large calendar near your child’s desk. Each day check off tasks that have been completed. This will avoid the last minute panic of writing the exam the night before or an assignment the following day. “Celebrate all the way along this journey as well as upon completion,” says Taverner. “You be their cheerleader.”

Most families are great at reinforcing excellence, but parents should reinforce improvement and progress as well. Don’t wait until your child brings you home. Show them that you are confident in their individual academic progress and rewarding small steps. Also of note is improved homework, such as increased concentration or curiosity in their homework. Improved tasks and behaviors are all indicators of building a strong study skills foundation.

“Remind your children how extraordinary special they are and how they can achieve their lifelong dreams if they have the skills, habits and attitudes needed for lifelong success,” says Taverner.

6. Individualized Instruction

Maintain regular communication with your child’s teachers, as they know how well your child is performing at school. Educators will recommend individualized support and coaching to improve study skills in academic success. They may also suggest that they have more of a challenge to their regular school learning.

An excellent program for students is an individualized one, focusing on their own individual needs. Study skills learning and coaching teaches them how to best perform, know how to organize themselves and recognize that they need discipline and structure to reach their goals. This is how to learn.

Visit www.sylvanlearning.com to learn more about Sylvan Learning’s approach and how it can help your child’s academic success.

This article is written or written by a sponsoring client and does not reflect the views of Castanet.