Help Your Kids Succeed In School With Good Study Habits

How parents view the education of their children has a lot to do with the success (or lack of success) students have in the classroom. Studies show that children whose parents place a high value on education do significantly better in school than children whose parents are not very interested.

As a parent, supporting your child's education is crucial to his or her future. One way you can have a tremendous impact is by teaching your child good study habits and skills. Here are some suggestions:

• Provide consistent, continual support and guidance for your student during the entire school year, not just when he or she has a big test or project coming up. Paying daily attention to all schoolwork is better than going into a last-minute panic over assignments.
• Check over your child's assignments every day so you know what his or her teacher's expectations are and what you can do to help your child meet them.
• Establish a regular study routine. Set a specific time and designate a specific area for doing homework and studying. Make sure there are no distractions like the TV, radio and phone.
• Look over your child's homework. Provide advice and suggestions if he or she is having difficulty understanding assignments or class materials. This is a good way to stimulate conversation and build a better relationship with your child. BUT DO NOT DO YOUR CHILD'S HOMEWORK.
• Always be available to encourage and help your child.
• Plan for the next day by helping your child get into the habit of organizing things.
• Display a love for learning at home. Ask questions, exchange ideas and read books together and separately. Allow your child to express his or her opinions and arrive at personal conclusions.
• Complement your child's school experiences with family activities and "field trips."
• Above all, model learning for your child by showing how enjoyable it is to take on new challenges and participate in new activities

Learning is a life-long experience. Setting a positive tone when your child first starts school and building on that foundation will give your student the best opportunity for success in school.