For your child to do well in school, it’s important to help them form positive associations with school and learning, and to be supportive of their unique learning style, as there is no one size fits all approach. School starts up in a couple of weeks, so we wanted to discuss some of the things you as a parent can do, to help your child or teen do well in school this year. 

Remove distractions. Okay, so this may be challenging, especially if your child or teen has homework online to do, but bear with us. Help eliminate distractions by setting up a quiet study and homework area for your child or teen, and if possible, asking them to hand over their cellphones for the duration of their set homework time. This may help your child focus, and get their work done.

Make homework less of a chore. Many times, kids avoid homework because it feels like a chore when all they may want to do is try and relax after a long day at school. Relating their coursework to something fun or practical, can help them get the most out of completing assignments and learning. For example, if your child is working on fractions, incorporate some of what their learning into cooking. This helps not only form a positive association with learning and maximizing the benefits of their homework, but also can help form good memories of spending time together as a family cooking dinner.

Encourage independent, self-learning. It’s natural that you want to help your child succeed. But there is a fine line between encouraging your child to learn and doing their work for them. Find that balance, and offer them opportunities to ask you questions but don’t do it all for them. Part of building a solid foundation for future learning includes letting your children struggle a little with a school project or assignment and figuring it out themselves. This helps build resilience, and children who are met with some challenges, often are more confident and feel more capable than a child who has everything done for them.

Use a “When-Then” Routine. Having a set routine for homework can make getting it done easier. By using a “when-then” method, you put into perspective the importance of completing the task and then reaping the benefits of completing the task, such as allowing your child to play a video game for half an hour, or letting them go outside and play and have fun. Plus, once something is in a routine, kids get used to the consistency which can make focusing on homework feel a little less like a chore and more like a regular, daily activity.

Help your child embrace failure. No one is perfect. Everyone and their mother have made a mistake at some point in their lives, and although there are varying degrees of those mistakes, one thing remains the same. Failure is not always the worst thing that could happen, and can often be used as a powerful teaching moment and a learning experience. Acknowledge the mistake, help correct the problem, and be constructive, not critical.

To learn more about how to help your child form good homework and study habits, refer to this article by Positive Parenting Solutions. Healthy Children also has some great resources to review to help your kid form good study habits.