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Good Study Habits = Good Grades
I trust all parents know how true that statement is. Your children were not born knowing how best to study their school lessons. I have heard parents yelling at their child because their grades were terrible. Then they would say to them,"You need to learn to study better ". Did they do that because they themselves do not know how to study in order to learn new things? It is likely their parents told them they needed to learn how to study better. We tend to pass on what and how our parents taught us.
As parents it is your responsibility to set a good example. If you were never taught how to study in order to remember what you have read or experienced, then it would be difficult to teach your children good study habits. You need to help your children develope good study habits. Even if you don't know how to study, you need to sit down with your child and help them come up with new ideas for helping them learn and remember what they study.
For many of us we can read all day, but may not remember most of what we read. That's why it's important to help your child learn how to study in order to remember what they have studied. Since everyone is an individual, not every solution will be helpful with every child. It may take trial and error, probably more error than success. You and your child, together, must find what works best for them. The most important thing is don't give up. The result will more than makeup for the time and work both of you have put in to learning good study habits.
A child that learns good study habits will grow into a well rounded adult. Good study habits will enfluence them for the rest of their life. I urge parents and kids to take your time as you look through the information and websites listed below.
Study Habits and Homework
Many of the issues concerning success in school revolve around developing good study habits and expectations regarding homework. Parents can certainly play a major role in providing the encouragement, environment, and materials necessary for successful studying to take place.
Some general things adults can do, include:
- Establish a routine for meals, bedtime and study/homework
- Provide books, supplies, and a special place for studying
- Encourage the child to "ready" himself for studying (refocus attention and relax)
- Offer to study with the child periodically (call out spelling words or do flash cards)
An established study routine is very important, especially for younger school age children. If a child knows, for example, that he is expected to do homework immediately after supper prior to watching television, he will be better able to adjust and ready himself than if he is allowed to do homework any time he pleases.
Connected to the idea of a study routine is the concept of a homework chart. This type of visual system tends to work very well, especially with children ages 9-12. The chart might look something like this:
| Day |
Reading |
Math |
Science |
Spelling |
| Monday |
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| Tuesday |
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| Wednesday |
|
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| Thursday |
|
|
|
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| Friday |
|
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| Saturday |
|
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| Sunday |
|
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|
All children need their own place at home to do homework. The space does not need to be big or fancy, but it needs to be personal so that they feel it is their "study place."
Remember, learning styles differ from child to child, so the study place should allow for these differences. Parents can take a walk through the house with their child to find that special corner that is just right.
The above was borrowed from: http:// www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/ succeed/05-studyhabits. html
Ten Ways to Help Your Child Get Organized
Developing good organizational skills is a key ingredient for success in school and in life. Although some people are by nature more organized than others, anyone can put routines and systems in place to help a child "get it together." The Coordinated Campaign for Learning Disabilities has compiled a list of strategies that you can use to help your child get, and keep, her life under control.
1. Use checklists.
Help your child get into the habit of keeping a "to-do" list. Use checklists to post assignments, household chores, and reminders about what materials to bring to class. Your child should keep a small pad or notebook dedicated to listing homework assignments. Crossing completed items off the list will give him a sense of accomplishment.
2. Organize homework assignments.
Before beginning a homework session, encourage your child to number assignments in the order in which they should be done. She should start with one that's not too long or difficult, but avoid saving the longest or hardest assignments for last.
3. Designate a study space.
Your child should study in the same place every night. This doesn't have to be a bedroom, but it should be a quiet place with few distractions. All school supplies and materials should be nearby. If your young child wants to study with you nearby, too, you'll be better able to monitor his progress and encourage good study habits.
4. Set a designated study time.
Your child should know that a certain time every day is reserved for studying and doing homework. The best time is usually not right after school most children benefit from time to unwind first. Include your child in making this decision. Even if she doesn't have homework, the reserved time should be used to review the day's lessons, read for pleasure, or work on an upcoming project.
5. Keep organized notebooks.
Help your child keep track of papers by organizing them in a binder or notebook. This will help him review the material for each day's classes and to organize the material later to prepare for tests and quizzes. Use dividers to separate class notes, or color-code notebooks. Separate "to do" and "done" folders help organize worksheets, notices, and items to be signed by parents, as well as provide a central place to store completed assignments.
6. Conduct a weekly cleanup.
Encourage your child to sort through book bags and notebooks on a weekly basis. Old tests and papers should be organized and kept in a separate file at home.
7. Create a household schedule.
Try to establish and stick to a regular dinnertime and a regular bedtime. This will help your child fall into a pattern at home. Children with a regular bedtime go to school well -rested. Try to limit television-watching and computer play to specific periods of time during the day.
8. Keep a master calendar.
Keep a large, wall-sized calendar for the household, listing the family's commitments, schedules for extracurricular activities, days off from school, and major events at home and at school. Note dates when your child has big exams or due dates for projects. This will help family members keep track of each other's activities and avoid scheduling conflicts.
9. Prepare for the day ahead.
Before your child goes to bed, he should pack schoolwork and books in a book bag. The next day's clothes should be laid out with shoes, socks, and accessories. This will cut down on morning confusion and allow your child to prepare quickly for the day ahead.
10. Provide needed support while your child is learning to become more organized.
Help your child develop organizational skills by photocopying checklists and schedules and taping them to the refrigerator. Gently remind her about filling in calendar dates and keeping papers and materials organized. Most important, set a good example.
The above was borrowed from: http://life. familyeducation.com/parenting /organization/36373.html
Helping Your Student Get the Most Out of Homework
By National PTA & National Education Association
Many students try to avoid it, but teaching and learning research indicates that c hildren who spend more time
on regularly assigned, meaningful homework, on average, do better in school.
This article answers questions many people have about homework. It gives specific advice for helping
your children. Here are some quick hints to help your child get the most out of homework.
Homework Hints
- Assume that your children will have studying to do every night.
- Ask your children if they understand their homework. If they do not, work a few examples together.
- Ask your children to show you their homework after the teacher returns it, to learn where they're having
trouble and where they're doing well. See if your children did the work correctly.
- Stay in touch with your children's teachers. Ask about their classes and what they are studying. Ask
their teachers how you can support what they are studying (flash cards, spelling, etc.).
- Remember, you and their teachers want the same thingto help your children learn.
- Don't be afraid to get in touch with the teacher if you and your child don't understand an assignment
or if your child is having a great deal of trouble. Almost all parents run into these problems, and
teachers are glad to help.
- Don't do your children's work for them. Help them learn how to do it themselves.
- Show your children that you think homework is important. If you are at work during homework time,
ask to see their work when you get home.
- Praise your children for doing well. Make praise a habit.
- Maintain a portfolio of "best pieces."
- Ask your school about tips or guides for helping your children develop good study habits.
- Help older students organize their assignments by recording them on calendars or planners, along
with due dates, dates turned in, etc.
The above was borrowed from: http://www. pta.org/archive_article_ details_1118088722562.html
Study Habits
Study Habits, and developing good ones, is paramount to your child's success.
... goal setting and the young adult. High schoolers are not children anymore.
http://www.homework-resource -centre.com/studyhabits.html
Family - how to teach your child to develop good study skills
You can help your child develop good study skills by encouraging her to become ...
Parents should start instilling good study habits with their children as ...
http://www.essortment.com/ family/familyteachchi_shes. htm
Learning Good Study Habits
With many habits, the sooner you ...Being organized and having homework routines
are the most important things in helping your child develop good study habits for life. ...
http://www.forexlife.net/ learning-good-study-habits. html
Good Study Skills Help Children Make the Grade
Good Study Skills Help Children Make the Grade. Contributed by Mike Owen.
Wednesday, 16 May 2007. Developing effective study habits are essential for a ...
http://www.searchsb.com/index2 .php?option=com_content&do_ pdf=1&id=730
A Parents Guide to Good Study Habits
Routines develop into good. habits, and if you help your child stick to this
routine, you will soon ... Children seem to be natural nibblers and like to ...
http://www.dpi.state.nd.us /title1/targeted/require/ parent/guide.pdf
Study Skills
One of the most important gifts parents can give their children is help in ...
It takes hard work and time to develop this habit. Because good study habits ...
http://www.midtel.net/~ natebg/parents.htm
Positive Study Habits
How to Get Your Kids to Do Their Homework ...Help your child develop positive
study habits. Learn the strategies that are working for ... Parent-to-Parent
Suggestions for Establishing Good Study Habits ...
http://www.singleparents. about.com/od/ yourchildseducation/qt /studyhabits.htm
Help your child learn study skills
Some fun and creative learning activities for helping children develop essential
study skills include the following:. Going traveling? Give your children ...
http://www.educationminnesota. org/index.cfm?PAGE_ID=249
, for more information on this subject.