How can you better support your children at home?
With schools open and children back in physical classrooms, many parents can let out a sigh of relief! Is this really true? Well, not really! With the Chinese New Year holidays just passing us by (too quickly!), school teachers are moving at a really fast pace, focusing on the mini assessments that are fast approaching. Most schools are giving some tests to students in weeks 7 and 8, and that is just 1 or 2 weeks away!
At the same time, we need to remember that just because school is open means that parents should take a back seat when it comes to their child’s studies. Parents need to make use of the experience and knowledge gained over the last few years and point it towards supporting your children and offering help in their studies and homework. Children require constant support and monitoring from parents to help them meet their needs from a young age. This will have a direct influence on their academic performance and also in the way they lead their daily lives.
“Every child is different”
This is the most important pointer you have to understand first. There is no single method that can apply to all. You must find out what works well for your children and what doesn’t. Especially, if your children have special needs, identifying them early and catering to them is very crucial. Targeted support from parents from an early age can help manage many learning disorders and special needs in children. Consult an expert if you need help.
Routine
Make sure your children follow a routine. It can help ingrain better habits in their life and instil discipline in them. It will do more good to their lives than anything else. Following a proper routine can also be the key to helping make life easier for children with special needs. You can help them adapt and get familiarised with tasks they need to do and let them do it on their own slowly. It can help them be more self-dependent and grow more confident.
Avoid distractions
Try to ensure that your children have a proper learning environment at home. Create a study space for them and help them organise it to suit their study habits. Make sure that distractions such as noise from the TV or other devices don’t disturb them during their study hours.
Divide homework into smaller parts
If your children find it tough to do their homework, help them divide it into smaller sections they can manage. It can also help them pay more attention, and prevent them from getting distracted after getting frustrated over not being able to do it. It is a suitable method for children who can’t pay attention for long times.
Help with their homework
Many would argue that children have to do it all on their own. But it won’t do them any good if they are wasting all their time looking at a problem that they can’t solve. When your children are learning new topics and problems, first show them how to solve a sample problem. Help them understand the methods, logic, and thought processes to be applied there. Then ask them to do the rest of the homework on their own. It can save time and help your children better understand the homework.
Compliment and praise your children
A kind and generous compliment goes a long way. When your children complete their tasks and homework, praise them and give them rewards. It can help improve their confidence and also give positive reinforcement towards completing their tasks on time. Incentives can also be offered to encourage your children to complete their homework in time. It can be cooking their favourite food for dinner or buying them treats that they enjoy.
Support them through failures
Your children might face challenges with their homework. They might make mistakes and fail to complete even simple tasks. For children with learning disorders or have special needs, it might be hard to do the basic work that other children manage to do easily. In such a situation, you shouldn’t get angry with them or shame them. Instead, offer them your unwavering support. Help your children understand that failures are part of life and they can teach you invaluable lessons that will eventually lead you to success. Encourage them when they are feeling down. They will do much better once they see the confidence you have in them.
Take care of their health
Make sure they are healthy and stress-free so that their brains are working at a good capacity. Make sure they don’t skip their meals. Ensure that your children (and yourself) have a proper sleep cycle.
Get additional support
If you can’t handle your child’s needs, always get help. Programs such as Mission I’mPossible(MIP) offer support and help in early screening and early intervention in the case of children with special needs or who have developmental concerns. Many similar services and agencies offer support and assistance to children of different age groups. You have a lot of people willing to offer you help – you just have to look for it!
Review and adapt
Review your strategies and methods regularly and see what’s working and what’s not. Make changes accordingly. Even if you don’t start with the best method, you’ll eventually reach one which best suits your children and you.
Parents have to integrate into every part of the process and offer support in every way they can. We hope this article helps you identify what you can do to better support your children at home. We wish you all the best! 🙂
Exam Smart Tips
Exam Smart Tip #1 – How to Encourage Our Kids to Speak Better?
Exam Smart Tip #2 – How to avoid carelessness?
Exam Smart Tip #3 – Establishing Routines!
Exam Smart Tip #4 – Let’s Read Carefully!
Exam Smart Tip #5 – Beating the Exam Fever!
Exam Smart Tip #6 – How to Eat Right for the Exams?
Exam Smart Tip #7 – How to Avoid a Meltdown?
Exam Smart Tip #8 – Taking Stress out of Tests
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