Showing your children the value of lifelong learning as early as possible will encourage a better attitude about school as they grow older. From birth, children can be introduced to fun in learning and exploring. To encourage this, designate open-ended and creative activities to grow with your child’s imagination in a playroom. Smart Playrooms can help families design and organize play spaces after analyzing and assessing the children’s developmental stages and interests.
“Our goal is to set up the play space to build a foundation for creativity and inspire a love of learning,” said Karri Bowen-Poole, founder of Smart Playrooms. The team of moms/teachers works tirelessly to make sure playrooms and spaces children inhabit are optimized for creative play that naturally helps to strengthen key academic objectives and goals. When children are allowed to use their imagination, they are thinking through problems. This type of thinking will help them to focus and be able to tackle more complex problems in the classroom setting. When children can independently tackle and solve problems, they will become more confident. Confidence has been linked to higher test grades.
Follow a routine
Introduce a specific time window to your child’s schedule to tackle homework and study. During this time, turn off distractions so your child can be fully present for their studies for this time. In addition to the study periods, be sure to designate productive breaks. Encourage your children to play outside or head to the art table.
Stay on top of your child’s attendance
Many parents think missing a few consecutive days from elementary school won’t have much of an impact. School curriculums of 2015 are not designed to be as forgiving as many think. Missing just a few days can result in a child being much further behind than we think. Catching up is difficult to do without slowing down the entire classroom.
Engage with your child’s teacher
Having an open dialogue with your child’s teacher could be the difference between a passing and failing grade. Your child’s teacher is likely to stay on top of your child’s individual learning progress and test performance if they know you are invested as a parent. This will also help you to know what’s important to study at home. Be present for parent teacher conferences and take advantage of things like talent shows and even bake sales.
Don’t stress your child out about tests
Many parents unknowingly cause anxiety in their children when it comes to exams. Adding pressure to an already stressful event can actually hurt your child’s confidence. Introduce positive reinforcement tactics to your approach. Ensure your child of all his capabilities and build their confidence leading up to tests. Praise them for any progress in school leading up to the examination date. This will help to build their confidence. Tests are, after all, just one measure of a child’s abilities, so be sure to look at your whole child and understand the test is just one measure of him/her.
“Kids are so scheduled today, they need more time for playing on their own to help develop their executive functioning skills,” Bowen-Poole adds. When children are allowed to play independently, they are learning how to self-regulate and manage their own behavior. When children are able to control their impulses and behavior, they will be able to focus more in school.
Don’t ignore your child’s weakness
Be proactive about tackling areas where your child falls short academically. If your child struggles with multiplication, take extra measures to give that subject attention at home. If your child is constantly struggling, be sure to get involved and make a plan with the school to help them to be tested and diagnosed. Children whose leaning styles are recognized at an early age are able to overcome academic hurdles easier. Your child’s education is as much the responsibility of the parent as it is the teacher. Students whose parents are involved with their school are proven to perform better on exams.