Kids today really do seem to be biting off more than they can chew when it comes to reporting, recitation, memorization, projects, homework, and a splash of additional extracurricular activities and screen time. After a long day of school, students are too worn out, preoccupied, and unmotivated to do one more section of review or another Math problem. However, in order to advance to the next grade level, kids are required to do well, or let’s say at least receive a passing mark.
How do we help our children perform better in school when their plates are already full? In a 2013 study, it was stated that there is a social belief that “academic achievement is considered as a key criterion to judge one’s total potentialities and capacities.”
It was found in the same study that study habits like “reading and note-taking, habits of concentration and preparation for examination had significant correlation with academic achievement.” Of course, this is just one of the factors as there are many other factors that affect academic performance, but since kids in grade school are frequently too young to be especially concerned about developing good study habits, we’ll focus on that part.
How to teach your grade schoolers good study habits
Attitude
Teach them to approach their study time with optimism. Generally, we require more incentive to complete difficult tasks. And it will be more challenging for our kids to find the will to move forward if they believe that adding an hour of study time will be a challenge rather than a gain.
Companionship
Some children find that studying alone helps them focus and concentrate. However, having a partner affirm what they’ve learned by taking turns with questions and answers also aids in the evaluation of one’s learnings. The buddy system also aids in fostering social connections and, in a sense, lessens the burden because academic accountability is being shared.
Older siblings who have already experienced certain topics and situations might benefit and support their younger siblings by giving them examples and assisting them in understanding their schoolwork.
Quiet Environment
It is typical in the Singaporean culture to live in a close-knit community with shared spaces where you might hear dogs barking or even street noise, which makes it difficult to focus when studying. You may assist your children by designating a study area where they will, as much as possible, be left alone. You can also give them headphones to block out background noise or allow them to listen to music (without lyrics, that is not rapid or loud) to improve their mood.
SMART Goals
A SMART objective, sometimes referred to as a clear and achievable goal, is necessary for resilience, claims Psychology Today.
Specific. For instance, the objective is to set aside an hour each day at 6 PM after school to review the teachings from that day.
Measurable. For instance, the objective is to raise the grade average by a specific percentage at the conclusion of the academic year.
Attainable. There is already too much strain on the children. Because we want the best for our children, it is simple for us as parents to have high expectations for them. As a result, we set objectives that are doable for our kids.
Realistic. Goals should also be feasible in terms of time, resources, and commitment. We can’t expect our children to become the best overnight because becoming the best demands other abilities. The fact that they are improving daily is what matters.
Time specific. Decide when you will complete each task. For instance, my child’s speech should improve after the first quarter, or after the school year, my child should be able to read at least 10 new books.
These so-called habits can teach children both fundamental and sophisticated life skills that will benefit them as adults, including time management, self-regulation, organization, goal setting, resilience, and discipline.
Thank these habits in the future
You can consider each of these recommendations and choose the one that best matches the needs of your child. However, while it’s true that having strong study habits is one of the most important elements for a successful academic performance, it’s important to remember that perfection is not the main objective; it’s just a bonus. Medals and awards that our children receive as a result of their hard work will always be an amazing thrill, and as parents, we couldn’t be more proud.
But let’s not forget that there are advantages to having effective study habits that may outweigh the visible evidence of their academic success. These so-called habits can teach children both fundamental and sophisticated life skills that will benefit them as adults, including time management, self-regulation, organization, goal setting, resilience, and discipline.