All parents and guardians want their child to succeed at school and achieve their potential. As your child makes their way through nursery, primary and secondary school, the role you play will be integral to their achievements. If you’re eager to support your child throughout their education, take a look at these top ways to provide the help they need.
Focus on effort
Helping your child to understand that people have different talents is a key lesson. While your child may excel in music, they may struggle with science, for example. An overemphasis on achievement can be demoralising, so focus on the importance of trying your best instead. By recognising your child’s efforts, you can ensure they remain motivated, without the fear of failure looming in the back of their mind.
Be involved
Dropping your kids off at the school gate and collecting them at hometime doesn’t give you much of an insight into how they spend their day. By becoming involved in activities, chaperoning on primary school trips or volunteering to accompany students on camping trips gives you a chance to really get involved with school life.
Make learning fun
Children begin learning from a young age, so their first experience of acquiring knowledge occurs long before they start their formal education. As a parent, when you incorporate learning into their day-to-day activities, you can make it a fun and enjoyable part of life. With arts and crafts, building blocks and nature walks, you can teach your child a variety of skills and share critical knowledge with them, all while having care-free fun.
Read with your child
Young children who are read to regularly tend to have an above-average grasp of literacy and language. Much of your child’s secondary education will involve reading, so instilling a love of books from a young age will stand them in good stead.
What’s more – potential issues, such as dyslexia, often first become apparent when a child learns to read. If you read with your child regularly, you’ll find it easier to gauge their process and access any additional support they might need.
Put things into context
When children are learning in a classroom setting, they often find it tricky to put the subject matter into a real-world context. Fortunately, parents and guardians can help them to do this in a variety of ways. Keeping up to date with your child’s class curriculum will enable you to discuss current subjects and topics with them and bring them to life.
From watching the news with your child, visiting historical sites they’re studying or simply reading more about relevant issues with them, you can bring their education to life and turn theoretical concepts into tangible and understandable ideas.
Become Part of Your Child’s Education
Parents and guardians know their children better than anyone else, so you’re perfectly placed to provide personalised learning opportunities and support. By working with your child’s teachers, you can enhance their knowledge and ensure they have the confidence and motivation to succeed in school.
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This post was contributed.
