Sharpening Your Child's Study Habits

Sharpening Your Child's Study Habits

Monday, 07 August 2006

"The following are study tips to use when studying for tests.

• Leave yourself time to study for the test.
• Over-learn the material.
• Re-work the problems from old quizzes, homework, and notes.
• Use flash cards to memorize important facts or formulas.
•  Concentrate on working problems or re-learning concepts that you don’t know.
• Take breaks when studying.
• Look at any comments made by your teacher.
• Say the formulas out loud when studying…also talk through the problems.
• Get a good night’s sleep before the test.
• Test yourself by working the review problems or chapter tests.
• Look over your notes the morning before, but do not do any heavy studying right before the test.
• Teach someone the concepts."

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"There are all sorts of reasons why a child may need tutoring. Maybe a teacher or counselor recommends it. Maybe your child’s grades start to fall. Possibly he or she experiences extreme anxiety before tests and exams. If your child has been acting out, becoming a behavior problem in class, or acting reluctant to go to school, tutoring could be the answer.

Many students are locked into what we call a failure chain- a continuing cycle of frustration and failure. These students look at the learning experience as a threat rather than a challenge. Often they deal with this threat by daydreaming, acting out or even tuning out. This behavior goes on in school and at home, affecting the whole family.

To break this failure chain, we carefully build basic skills, boost self-confidence and restore the motivation to succeed."

 

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"The key to homework and overall academic success is strong organizational skills and the ability to work independently.

A child should establish a daily study time. Routine helps to get organized, which reduces the level of stress. This will help in concentrating and completing the work in a timely manner.

Eliminate distractions such as phone calls and television during homework time.

Parents must encourage their child to space out studying and homework assignments, so that they are not forced to cram the night before a test.

Mark down test days on a calendar so the child and the parent are both aware of testing dates.

A parent should encourage their child to do well, but should not pressure them; it is important for a child to stay relaxed before a test.

A goal for students is to assume most, if not all, involvement, particularly in the beginning. It helps to establish the routine and get the whole process off to a good start."