How Can Parents Help Their Children Excel in School? These 5 Things Matter Most
A child's education is paramount, yet many parents want to help but don't know where to start. A child's growth can't be redone, so the approach matters greatly. Below are several direct and effective strategies you can reference immediately.
1. Make learning fun first
Children will only study proactively when they find it enjoyable. The solution is simple: integrate learning with their favorite activities.
- Does your child love drawing? Let them explore shapes, learn classification, and even grasp geometric concepts through art.
- Does your child enjoy stories? Spark their reading interest with historical tales and science picture books.
- Take them to museums and science centers for hands-on experiences—it leaves a much deeper impression than books alone.
- Most importantly: praise them often. Even the smallest progress, when met with your encouragement, will give them a strong sense of accomplishment and make them love learning more.
2. Focus on teaching him “how to learn,” not just “what to learn.”
Children who learn how to learn will be better equipped to handle more complex academic and life challenges independently. You need to do three things:
- Teach specific methods: For example, when previewing lessons, mark areas they don't understand; review while the material is fresh, repeating it multiple times according to memory patterns; create an error notebook and review it regularly.
- Avoid rushing to provide answers: When your child encounters a difficult problem, guide them to think for themselves. Ask questions like, “Let's see if the book offers any hints?” or “Why not try a different approach?” This is far more effective than simply giving them the answer.
- Hold them accountable: Clearly communicate that learning is their own responsibility. Parents can assist, but they cannot do the work for them.
3. Collaborate on a “doable” plan
Without a plan, studying becomes prone to procrastination and inefficiency.
- Lower grades: Keep it simple, e.g., “Do homework right after school” or “Read for 20 minutes daily.”
- Upper grades/Middle school: Make it more detailed, including time allocated per subject, weekly review topics, and when to organize mistakes.
- Key: The plan must be co-created with your child—they'll only follow through if they own it. Don't overbook the schedule; leave room for relaxation and adjustments.
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4. Prepare the learning environment
The environment significantly impacts a child's concentration.
- Hardware: Provide a dedicated study corner with a tidy desk, bright lighting, and complete stationery. This helps them get into the zone as soon as they sit down.
- Software: Maintain quiet at home, especially during study time. More importantly, parents should lead by example—if you read regularly, your child will naturally see learning as part of daily life.
5. Pay attention to their emotions and stress
A child's learning state is directly tied to their mood.
- If they're upset about a poor test score, avoid criticism. Instead, say: “We didn't do well this time. Let's figure out where we went wrong and try harder next time.”
- When you sense he's stressed, take him out for exercise or fun activities to help him unwind.
- Never compare him to “other people's children.” Every child is unique. Your trust and support are the greatest motivation for him to overcome challenges.