The role of the parents in a child’s education is no less important than that of the school. There are quite a few tips for parents to help their children with education at home. Parents always do need to step up and play their very important part in ensuring that their children are able to perform to the best of their ability with regard to their education. This is as true of international schools, as it is of any other kind of schools. As a matter of fact the parents’ involvement begins quite early as they are the ones who need to help their children through the primary education phase. Doing so helps their children with their secondary school admissions.
Let us look at how parents can support their child’s education at home in some detail-
Provide the children with a dedicated space to study
The children need to be given the right kind of atmosphere to be able to study well at home. Giving them a dedicated space to study that is quiet and well organised can help them study in a calm and focused manner. It might also be a very good idea to ensure that there are no distractions like electronic devices present nearby, so that they concentrate on their work assignments in nothing else.
Get them to follow a routine
The best way to help children do well at their studies is to have them follow a routine at home. Apart from setting aside daily study time, the students in question should be encouraged to finish their homework assignments, as well as go through their study materials on a consistent basis. Doing so can help them develop discipline as well as a good work ethic that will last them in good stead for the rest of their lives.
Track their progress
Parents need to be keenly involved in their child’s academic progress. This can be accomplished by communicating regularly with them about the progress they are making at school. It would be a good idea to ask them about the things they are learning in class and ask them about any doubts or problems they might be experiencing. The idea here is to let them know that you are there for them, as also the fact that you are very keen that they make good progress at work.
Make use of support services
Parents would do well to make use of the support provided by schools in the shape of online resources, educational materials as well as turn up regularly for parent-teacher meetings to ensure that their involvement in their children’s studies is deep and abiding.
Be a role model to them
Children invariably get influenced by the example their parents set for them.It, therefore, is imperative that you be an inspirational role model to them, motivating them to be the best version of themselves every day. If they see you as a disciplined individual who works diligently towards achieving your goals, they will likely follow the same template with regard to their studies.
Encourage their sense of curiosity
Encourage your children to give full rein to their natural sense of curiosity by encouraging them to ask questions or initiate discussions about what interests them. This will give you a keen insight on what your child’s interests and aptitudes are.
Set realistic goals for your children
While it is all very well to encourage your children to achieve their academic goals, it is important to not burden them with expectations. It makes better sense to set learning goals for them after factoring in their inputs. Possibly giving them a series of small milestones would be preferable to giving them a large one which seems very difficult to achieve.
Help them with homework and other assignments
You could help your children with their homework and other school assignments in a manner that clears their concepts without them shirking their responsibility towards it. They could also be given valuable tips like the importance of time management skills when it comes to doing well at one’s assignments.
Also Read: How to Support Your Class 1 (year 1) Child’s Early Learning: A Parent’s Guide
Conclusion
The role of parents in their child’s educational journey is extremely important. In fact, the attitude of the parents towards their child’s academic life is a major determinant of how well he or she fares. The school world is quite competitive and the peer pressure too is quite fierce. A child sees his or her home as a safe haven and it is up to the parents to ensure that their child gets all the emotional and material support that he or she needs to be in a happy frame of mind.
Furthermore, the parents need to act as a friend, philosopher and guide when it comes to counseling them about how to go about achieving their academic objectives. Indeed, the role of the parents in guiding their children through their school years is of the utmost importance. They help shape their future.
