7 Ways To Help Your Child Do Well In School

If you’re a parent, you were your child’s first teacher. You taught them how to walk, talk, read, write and overall, become functional enough to be able to attend school someday so qualified teachers could take over their education. But a responsible parent knows full well that their responsibility doesn’t end there.

Countless studies have shown poor academic performance being linked to a lack of parental support, but it should come as no surprise that success at school starts from home. Here are 7 ways to help your child do well in school:

1. Designate a study area

Doing your homework is going to seem a lot more of a hassle if you have to constantly drag your books around the house, looking for a quiet place to sit. Every student should have a decent place to study. Whether this comes in the form of a well furnished study room, complete with stacked bookshelves and comfy beanbags or a small desk with a box of stationery, having a designated study area is one of the many factors that will ensure your child makes the most of his free time at home.

2. Show an interest in their education

Displaying an interest in your child’s education is one of the best ways to show them your support. As a parent, you should be interested in your child’s life at school. What subjects are they best at? Who are their favourite teachers? Is there anything they’re struggling with? Your child will have a lot more motivation to continuously perform at their best knowing they have your support..

3. Make reading a habit

The written word is a powerful thing. Making a habit out of reading broadens vocabulary, expands knowledge, improves writing skills and so many other great things; all of which will make your child a better student overall.

4.Expect the best out of them

There are two ways this point can be interpreted, one of which does far more harm than good. You should not demand your child that they be the top of their class, or the star athlete, or be elected the head prefect. These are all things to strive for, but being disappointed in them for not achieving any of them will not do anyone any good. Understand that every person has their own potentials and that if a person’s best doesn’t lead to them becoming a doctor someday, it might lead to something else that could make you proud. Expecting your child to do their best, and not what you think is their best, will make them more proud of what they have accomplished.

5. Encourage a healthy lifestyle

A healthy body results in a healthy mind, and this cannot be stressed enough. Eating a balanced diet, getting adequate physical activity, having a good night’s sleep; all things you’ve been told to do your entire life, make a person feel good and better about themselves in the long run. Living a healthy lifestyle brings with it countless benefits that will help foster a developing child’s academic success. Don’t just force your child to adopt these habits, ensure that the whole family does.

6. Demonstrate a positive attitude towards education

Your child, especially if they are very young, will most likely look up to you as a role model. They were raised by you, spend a large portion of their day with you, and will, whether consciously or unconsciously, begin to mirror a lot of your actions. If you yourself, as a parent, don’t act as if education is something that matters to you, you shouldn’t be a hypocrite if your child doesn’t either.

7. Monitor their mental health

The state of a person’s mental health is often overlooked, which is alarming, considering the increasing rates of suicide cases among teenagers. Always take notice if your child shows a change in character or behaviour and get them the professional help they need if you discover something’s wrong. An illness of the mind, though not as noticeable, should never go untreated.

A parent’s support for their child’s education goes beyond just attending open days and PIBG meetings. The more active and engaged you are with your child’s education, the more likely it is that they’ll perform better in school.