We all want what is best for our children, and the way that kids perform in school can have a significant effect on where they go in life. To really help your kid excel in the classroom, it’s vital to be involved in your child’s education. Here are just a few essential things to consider when raising school-age kids.
- Understand the Power of Positive Reinforcement
For many parents, helping a child to excel in school can be a very tricky proposition. Unfortunately, many parents tend to punish poor performance in school rather than understand the root causes of that poor performance.
Because it only teaches kids to associate schoolwork with anxiety and apprehension, the answer to a bad grade in school is not to ground a child; instead, try using positive reinforcement to help your child approach their schoolwork with a new strategy.
This type of “growth mindset” can help children associate challenges with progress rather than negative emotions. Remember, even Einstein struggled with schoolwork as a child.
- Engage With Your Child’s Existing Interests
Even if they’re bored by a lot of their current homework, many children will start to develop particular strengths and interests as they get older. To help your child succeed in school, try connecting their interests with their schoolwork from an early age.
For example, a child who ordinarily struggles with reading might be over the moon to receive a book about their favorite subject. A child who struggles to socialize with classmates might enjoy the opportunity to attend local events based on particular topics like chess or mathematics.
The important thing is to help children enjoy their schoolwork; children will usually enjoy working hard if their work is related to something that they genuinely care about.
- Praise and Reward Effort
At the end of the day, your child looks to you for more than affection: Many children judge their school progress by how much positive attention they receive from their parents.
It is important to remember to praise your child when they have worked hard in school: Make time to reward your kids when they knock their schoolwork out of the park. It will mean the world to them to visit an ice cream parlor after a big test or go for pizza when they bring home a good report card.
Not only will your kid’s school performance improve, but you’ll also help your child to develop values that will help them throughout life. It’s a win-win situation that can be extremely rewarding for everyone involved.