Schools have a pivotal role in nurturing a child’s success and happiness, but parents play an even more crucial role as they are inevitably a child’s first and most ever-present teacher. Parents are fundamental to instilling in children the curiosity and passion to learn and develop.
Parents can offer children a safe and encouraging space in which they can learn, explore and discover – allowing them to develop a confidence and love of learning that they carry with them into their schooling. Many studies have noted the importance of parent’s involvement in the child’s education. Students with good support from home achieve better grades at school and grow up with higher self-esteem and happiness.
Here are a few habits you can adopt to help instill in your child an interest and confidence in learning:
1-Read together
Not only does it encourage bonding and creative thinking, reading books together is one of the best ways to be close with the child’s learning at school. In their early years, this can include both books that the child can read with your help, or more advanced texts read by you which can give the child exposure to a broader vocabulary, advanced sentence structures and higher level concepts.
2-Don’t over schedule:
Unstructured playtime isn't just about children having fun, it's also a fundamental way in which children develop self-confidence, self-direction and creativity. Jam-packing a child's schedule with activities on top of their academics can overwhelm them and damage their self-esteem. That's why it's crucial to leave your child's schedule open for free-time.
3- Offer friendly feedback:
We all make mistakes and have our own areas for improvement, which offer great learning opportunities if addressed positively. You can allow your child to do so by being mindful of their progress and performance. If they seem to be falling behind or losing interest, be there to offer gentle guidance by having an open conversation and providing constructive criticism on how they can learn from this and move forward.
4- Be available to help with homework:
Homework gives children a chance to process and apply what they've just learned - but with the lessons still fresh in their minds, sometimes it can be a struggle. While that can help build their problem-solving skills, let your child know that you're available to support them in working through their assignments if needed.
5- Prep together for exams:
Tests and exams can be intimidating to children, but with the right practice and guidance they can overcome their trepidation and excel. As with their homework, let your child know you're there to help them with their exam prep - either by revising harder lessons together or by doing mini at-home tests.
6-Reward their efforts:
Your child's efforts towards their education should always be rewarded - not just in the case of good grades, but also when they've shown dedication towards a certain learning task. This will reinforce positive behaviours and give them the motivation to continue pursuing high performance.
7- Get to know their teachers:
Teachers witness firsthand your child's learning and development and are a great resource from which you can understand your child's progress both academically and socially. Participating in parent-teacher meetings and related activities gives you indispensable insight into your child's performance and what you can do to support them.
8-Ensure everyday bonding:
Set aside time to bond with your child every day. This could be as simple as having meals together, or having a routine time in which you would play or read together. This helps ensure your child feels supported and listened to.
9- Let them into your own experiences:
When it comes to advice, we listen best to those who understand us. Share your own schooling experiences with your child. Let them in on both your academic successes and what you've done to achieve them, and your struggles and what you've learned from them. This will help them feel normal about whatever struggles they're going through, as well as feel inspired in their learning journey.
11- Give space and listen well:
Your child is likely going through a lot, both academically and developmentally, which can sometimes lead to either joys or frustrations. Create a space for your child in which they can freely express themselves and their feelings, and be sure they feel listened to. This will help them feel supported and assured in their experiences and ability to excel in their learning activities.