Today, it is essential to have proper complementarity between the institution where our children study and our home. This is to ensure we keep track of the work done in schools and remember that education is a shared responsibility.
Various authors agree that students who receive support and motivation from their parents tend to achieve the best academic results.
Therefore, it is necessary for parents to have some tools to support their children’s study at home, as this allows for collaborative work.
Here are some tips to help your children study, always aiming for collaboration with teachers:
- Identify the Topics Needing More Support: Diagnosing which subjects are most challenging is crucial. This can be done through a small test, talking to teachers, or directly asking your children what they would like to learn, as considering their interests increases motivation.
- Design a Study Plan: Based on the responses from the previous point, create a list of topics to study. It is advisable to do this step together with the children so they are clear about what will be learned.
- Create a Study Schedule: Establish a clear study time. For children aged six to eleven, it is recommended to allocate between one and two hours of study per day. For children and teens aged twelve and older, it is suggested to dedicate three hours per day.
- Provide an Appropriate Study Environment: It is important to offer a quiet space where your child can concentrate on studying. Additionally, ensure they have the necessary materials and avoid potential distractions such as television or video games.
- Teach Research Skills: Encourage autonomy in children. Along with explanations and help with topics, teach them the value of research. Utilize tools such as phones, tablets, or computers, and guide them on how to identify reliable sources.
- Assess Learning: After studying a topic, it is important to evaluate how much was learned. This can be done through oral or written tests, exercises, or quizzes. Identify the progress and areas that need further reinforcement.
- Support and Motivate: While it is important for children to develop study autonomy, they also need to feel supported. Get involved in the process by using motivational phrases, assisting with difficult topics, conducting joint research, or creating a fun quiz game to review.
Having committed parents is a key factor in helping students and schools succeed. When families and schools work as partners, students’ academic performance improves, and children are better prepared to lead happy and productive lives.