Most parents will worry about their child’s progress in school at some point or other, it’s perfectly natural. After all, we all want our children to thrive both in and out of school and reach their full potential. Of course, part of them succeeding in school comes down to their happiness – do they enjoy learning? The best thing you can do to help your child is demonstrate your involvement in their progress as best you can, but you need to do so in a way that doesn’t seem interfering. Ensuring that your child and their teachers know you are there to support them where necessary is the first step. Here are some tips from an independent college in London.
Communicate With Your Child and their Teachers
There’s no time like the present to start making changes to help your child succeed in school. Speak to your child first, in a one-to-one capacity so that they feel comfortable opening up to you and let them know that you are there to help. Remind them that they can come to you whenever they have any worries or concerns that they’re struggling to deal with alone. You should also contact your child’s school and ask them if there’s anything you can do to offer your support. Communication is key when it comes to your child’s progress, so don’t leave it until the once-a-year parents’ evenings to get an update from their teachers.
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It’s also important to chat to your child about the more mundane topics with your child, such as what lessons they had that day and how they spent their lunchbreak. Be sure to ask open-ended questions to encourage your child to actually give you a decent answer, as opposed to “Yes”, “No” or “I can’t remember”. It might help to have a copy of their timetable pinned up on the fridge so that you can keep track of how they’re spending each day, as this will give you a starting point for conversations.
Attend Events at the School
Telling your child that you care about their achievements is very different to showing them that you care. With that said, be sure to attend any events at the school that they might be involved in, such as sports day or a music recital. You could even consider volunteering to help out on school trips or in extra-curricular clubs. This will really demonstrate to your child how truly invested you are in their success.
Help Your Child with their Home Learning
Consider whether or not your child’s home environment is adequate for learning. Do you talk about school in a positive way and try to find opportunities to enrich your child’s learning potential? There are so many activities you could do together at home to promote their inquisitive nature and demonstrate that learning can be fun, from gardening and baking to science experiments and scavenger hunts. You should also make sure your child has a dedicated space to complete their homework, which is comfortable and free from distractions.
You might also want to consider encouraging your child to join an extra-curricular club so that they can strengthen their skills and become more confident. A confident child will be far more likely to get involved in classroom discussions and also build healthy relationships with their peers and teachers, all contributing to improved overall performance.
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Of course, the above ideas are just a few suggestions to get you started; there are many more ways you can become more involved in your child’s education and help them perform well. Help them to develop a positive attitude towards school and focus on growing and improving, rather than dwelling on their shortcomings.