10 proven strategies to boost your child’s at-home study sessions

Welcome, parents!

Every parent has been there: You know your child has homework or needs to study, but each attempt to settle them down seems met with another distraction…

Maybe it’s a pet clamoring for attention or simply the allure of a buzzing phone….

The challenge? Transforming home – a place of relaxation and play – into a space conducive for concentration.

Let’s journey together through some effective, tried-and-tested strategies that ensure when it’s time for homework, your home rises to the occasion!

1. Establish a routine

Establishing a routine is paramount when it comes to effective studying at home!

Begin by designating specific times dedicated solely to studying. This not only helps in setting clear boundaries between leisure and study time but also mentally prepares the child to switch into ‘study mode’ when that hour approaches.

Equally crucial is ensuring consistent bedtime and waking hours. A regulated sleep schedule not only aids in maintaining a healthy circadian rhythm but also ensures your child is well-rested and mentally alert for the challenges of the day.

Finally, while a structured routine is essential, it’s equally important to incorporate breaks. Continuous hours of studying can lead to fatigue and decreased retention. Short, periodic breaks can rejuvenate the mind, preventing burnout and ensuring that the study sessions remain productive.

2. Create a study space

Setting up the right study space can make all the difference for your kiddo. Think about a spot that’s quiet and has good lighting—no one wants to squint at their books or get easily distracted!

But it’s not just about the location; think about the chair and desk too. A comfy seat and a decent desk can keep them going for longer without them getting all fidgety!

And here’s a little hack: keep all their study gear—pens, pencils, notebooks, textbooks—right at hand. That way, they’re not wandering around the house looking for a pen and getting sidetracked.

By creating a conducive environment, you can make the study time both effective and comfortable for your children!

3. Limit distractions

Let’s be real: In today’s digital age, distractions are just a tap away. And for kids, the lure of a buzzing phone or a flashy game notification can be hard to resist.

So, what can we do?

Well, first things first, keep those electronic gadgets away during study time, unless, of course, they’re needed for the task at hand. . If your kid needs to be online, try setting specific breaks for them to check messages or relax a bit – but set clear boundaries.

And here’s a techy tip: there are some super cool apps out there that block distracting sites or even keep tabs on time wasted (I mean spent!) on fun but non-study related activities. Here are a few:

Freedom

Blocks distracting websites and apps across devices.
Users can schedule block sessions in advance or start them on-the-fly.
Available for Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android.

RescueTime

Monitors computer and smartphone usage to provide insights about how you spend your time.
Can block distracting websites.
Gives weekly reports, and users can set productivity goals.
Available for Windows, macOS, Android, and Linux.

StayFocus

Browser extension for Chrome that restricts the amount of time users can spend on distracting websites.
Highly customizable, allowing users to block specific sites, subdomains, or even specific in-page content.

Forest

Encourages users to avoid using their phone through a gamified experience.
Users plant a tree, which grows over a set period. If they leave the app to use another app, the tree dies.
Available for iOS and Android.

4. Set clear goals

When it comes to studying, having clear objectives can work wonders.

Start by sitting down together and chatting about what they hope to accomplish. Is there a daunting chapter to get through or a project looming on the horizon?

Break those bigger tasks into smaller chunks to make them less intimidating. It’s like turning a mountain climb into a series of manageable hikes. And as your young learner surmounts each “hill,” take a moment to celebrate!

These moments of acknowledgment not only boost their morale but also create a positive association with the learning process. Over time, your child will see challenges not as insurmountable obstacles but as opportunities for growth, all thanks to a bit of strategic planning and lots of encouragement!

5. Teach time-management skills

Time management isn’t just for grown-ups juggling coffee and meetings; it’s a real-deal skill that can help your kiddo thrive at school (and save some of your evening sanity)!

Think about it: no more last-minute “I forgot my assignment!” meltdowns. Start by introducing them to the wonders of planners or even nifty digital calendars – they’re basically the secret weapon behind any well-prepped student. Have them scribble down test dates and assignments, giving them a clear picture of what’s coming up.

But here’s the real game-changer: teaching them to prioritize. It’s all about figuring out what tasks need the front seat and which ones can chill in the back for a bit. Time management doesn’t just make homework smoother; it’s setting them up for the big leagues in the real world!

One thing you can do is to ask them to note due dates of their assignments and exam dates on calendar than plan backwards from these dates! For instance, maybe your child has a science project due in three weeks. You can plan backward from it:

Identify the final due date

Mark the due date on the calendar. Let’s say it’s on the 30th of the month.

List all the tasks needed to complete the project

This could include researching about the solar system, sketching a plan of the model, gathering materials, constructing the model, and preparing a presentation about it.

Estimate how long each task will take

For example, a research might take two days, sketching a plan might take a day, gathering materials might take 3 days (perhaps you have to go to a stationery store or order online to get some of the materials?), building the model might take a week and preparing the presentation might take 3 days.

Schedule each task on the calendar, starting from the duedate and working backwards

So on the 27th to 29th, she’ll prepare her presentation. From the 20th to the 26th, she’ll build the model.On the 17th to 19th, she’ll gather materials. On the 16th, she’ll sketch the plan. And on the 14th and 15th, she’ll do her research.

Allow for some buffer time

It’s always wise to leave a few days free before the due date. This can be used to catch up if any task takes longer than expected, or to review and polish the project.

Check of tasks as they are completed

This will give her a sense of progress and achievement, and it can be a great motivator!

6. Provide tools and teach learning techniques

Study tools and techniques aren’t just about getting kids to memorize dates or formulas, but about equipping them with strategies to understand, retain, and apply information. Here are some tried and true techniques that may be helpful:

Note-taking with the Cornel method

This isn’t just your run-of-the-mill note-taking. The Cornell Method is a systematic format for condensing and organizing notes. Here’s how it works:

Divide a paper into three sections – one narrow column on the left, a wider column on the right, and a small space at the bottom. Notes from a lecture or reading go into the right column. Key terms or “cues” from the notes go into the left column. And after the session, a summary of the whole thing goes at the bottom. It’s neat because when revising, the left column cues can be used to test knowledge, making it an active revision tool!

Easier recall with mnemonic devices

Remembering can be tough. Mnemonic devices to the rescue! These are creative memory aids that can be patterns, words, or images. They’re fantastic for subjects with lots of data like biology. For instance, kids trying to remember the order of planets can use the phrase, “My Very Educated Mother Just Served Us Noodles” (Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune). Not only does this lighten up study sessions, but it also makes recalling information much more effective!

Active reading

Instead of just reading passively, active reading ensures your child is engaged and comprehending the material. Two main strategies here are summarizing and questioning. Summarizing requires the reader to condense what they’ve just read into their own words, ensuring they’ve grasped the main ideas. Questioning, on the other hand, means they should pose questions about the content, which promotes critical thinking. So, instead of just breezing through a chapter, they’re pausing, reflecting, and questioning, making sure they’re not just taking in words, but also understanding the ideas behind them.

While a lot of people find these techniques effective, it’s essential to remember that these are just a few tools in the toolbox. Every kid is unique, and there’s no one-size-fits-all. It might take some experimenting, tweaking, and patience, but the key is finding what resonates most with your kids’ learning style!

7. Foster independent learning

As parents, it’s instinctive to want to swoop in and help our kids the moment they face a challenge. But let’s be real, life doesn’t come with a manual, and we won’t always be there to guide them. This is why fostering independent learning is so crucial.

Sometimes, the best thing we can do is let our children grapple with a problem on their own. It’s tough to watch them struggle, but this very process builds resilience and critical thinking. When they eventually solve it by themselves, the confidence boost they get is priceless!

Now, while we want them to learn independently, we also want to make sure they’re not completely lost. Encouraging them to seek out resources can be the middle ground. Maybe it’s pointing them towards a helpful website, suggesting they reread a chapter, or even just sharing a learning strategy that worked for us. Being a guiding hand rather than the solver can make a world of difference!

8. Encourage regular breaks

We’ve all been there — slogging through a task and feeling the minutes drag on, wishing for a break. Kids aren’t any different. In fact, their energy and shorter attention spans make regular breaks even more essential!

Here’s a cool trick – the Pomodoro Technique. It’s a fancy name, but the idea is simple: kids focus on their studies for a solid 25 minutes and then give themselves a 5-minute breather. This cycle helps in keeping the momentum going without feeling overwhelmed.

What’s the best way to use that 5-minute break? Get moving or truly relax. Maybe it’s a quick dance to their favorite song, a stretch, or even just some deep breaths by the window. The goal is to step away, reset, and come back refreshed!

9. Understand the challenges

Imagine a world where, after a long day’s work, you still have tasks piled up, deadlines looming, and your energy levels hitting rock bottom. Sounds exhausting, right?

That’s pretty much a day in the life of many kids. With school, extracurriculars, out-of-school courses and other activities, they’re juggling a lot! And when it comes to wrapping up the day with studies or homework, that fatigue isn’t just physical – it’s mental too.

So, have a chat with your kids and understand the challenges she face when studying at home. Of course, don’t only focus on the challenges! You should also ask them about what she enjoys about studying and when she feels most energetic and focused. This could give you some valuable insights to help them study more effectively!

10. Be involved

I get it; life can be a whirlwind of work, chores, and managing everything in between. But taking a moment to check in on your child’s school journey can make a world of difference. A simple conversation can reveal so much about what’s going on in their academic world – the highs, the lows, and everything in between.

Also, remember that not every day will have a gold star moment, but there are plenty of little victories worth noting. Whether it’s finally getting the hang of long division, a positive comment from a teacher, or even just managing to finish homework before dinner, recognizing these moments can boost their morale and confidence in learning.

Summary

The journey through school is filled with ups and downs, and the challenges our kids face can be daunting. But here’s the thing — rather than letting studying become a frantic, last-minute race against time, embed it into their daily life. Consistency is gold. When studying is part of the daily routine, it not only reduces stress but also enhances retention and understanding. Remember, it’s not about how much they cram the night before an exam; it’s about the steady, everyday effort they put in. Let’s help our kids build habits that will benefit them not just for tests, but for life!

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