Suppose you meet someone who says they can take you back in time. They will make you young again and allow you to go back and correct your mistakes. You can even retake tests that you failed years ago. The best part of this time travel adventure? You get to keep all your memories. Are you interested? Sure, you are.
With this second chance, how would you approach your studies? You will undoubtedly be a diligent student prepared to get the highest grades. Right? Now consider: Are you treating your children like they are your chance to live all over? You may discover that you are projecting your own desires onto your children. If so, it's time to put an end to it. Your kids may be either better or worse than you were when it comes to their grades. You can't magically change that, but you can help them get better. What can you do?
Try these tips to help your kids raise their grades:
1. Encourage them to ask questions. Children are naturally curious when they are young, but they may become more closed off as they grow and mature. They need to know that it's okay to ask questions. Why? So, they don't hold back from asking for further explanations at school.
- As a parent, how can you do this? You can set an example by asking friends and family questions freely, and your children will imitate you.
- Answer your children's questions. Would you like to ask questions if you are constantly shut down or don't get a response? Likely not. So when they ask questions, answering them will assure them that it's okay to ask.
- Correct the manner in which they ask questions if it's disrespectful or discourteous. Commend them for their thoughtful questions.
- Every time they ask a question, before answering, say, "That's an excellent question," and end with, "I'm looking forward to your next question." It encourages their curiosity.
2. Help them create a flexible study schedule. Put yourself in your children's shoes when you do this. What were your study schedules like? Could you sit behind a book for hours without moving? Even if you were sitting behind the book, were you reading, or was your mind wandering?
- Children have a lot of energy and become restless if they sit for too long. What can you do to help? Help them make a weekday and weekend schedule. It should include time for breaks during study sessions. Adding time for play and rest allows them to stick to their schedules.
- Have a personal copy of their timetable so you can give gentle reminders in case they get distracted
- Remember, all children have different abilities. Helping them to study, even if it's just for a few minutes a day, can go a long way. And in time, they will develop a greater desire to study.
3. Help them eliminate distractions. Phones are not altogether bad, but they can be big distractions for your children. One of the biggest distractions for kids is their phones. Can you think of any other things? Video games, TV shows? How can you help with them?
- Regulate the time spent on their phone. You can use an app to track the time they've spent on it. Practice putting your phones aside as a family. We set a rule that the first person to touch their phone has to do the dishes. The kiddos do everything in their power to get us to grab the phone.
- Lower the volume of the TV or for us, we don't watch it at all while they are studying.
4. Reward them for their efforts. We offer more generous rewards as an incentive to get the kids to continue studying. We have found that rewards are significant in our household. We even post their achievements on the wall for everyone to see. They take great pride in that!
- Let them know you are proud of them. Sure our little ones look embarrassed when we brag about them, but on the inside, they will be smiling. Just try not to overdo it. The goal is not for them to study hard once and give up, but to keep studying.
5. Help them set reasonable goals. Write down goals together and ask them what their dreams and aspirations are. When they answer, make an achievement board. List little goals they can set and reach to get there and check them off one by one as they succeed. Their successes will motivate them to keep going.
Be patient with your children. Never stop encouraging them. Don't push them too hard. What happens if you push someone too hard? They will fall. If your children feel overwhelmed and pressured to study, they could start using other means, like cheating to pass, to please you. Avoid pushing your own goals onto them.
Reassure them that it's okay to take a break. And parents, do remember that some children are late bloomers. They could develop their intellectual abilities later in life. Don't give up on them. Give them a chance to make you proud! I promise, they will.
