STUDY SECRETS: LESSONS FROM THE EXPERTS (PART 2 of 2)
6-minute read.
Okay, parents! So far, we’ve covered:
- What executive functioning skills are and how they relate to study skills
- Some pitfalls that children, pre-teens, and high school students may fall into when developing these skills
Now, we don’t want anyone to fret! There are some simple tactics that you can implement at home to promote high executive functioning and positive study habits in your student, no matter their age.
Let’s dive in…
What can I do, as a parent, to help my student succeed?
Communicate, communicate, communicate!
Ask your student how they are doing and if there is anything they are struggling with. With littles, be specific, but gentle, in telling them what behaviors you’d like them to improve on. When providing the improvement goals, start and finish with something they already do well. With older students, help them identify what exactly is bothering them, if anything, and what actionable steps they can take to resolve the issue. Self-advocacy is a lifelong skill and having a positive group of peers and adults to turn to for advice and guidance is key in developing this.
Provide the space.
This may seem obvious, but you’d be surprised how many students don’t have an area in their home just for school work. Ideally, this space should not be in the center of the house or the same place that they relax. For younger students, ensure they have everything they need to get their work done effectively. For example, crayons and colored pencils, scissors, flashcards, a weekly planner, calculator, highlighters. With teens, you may need to have a discussion about not working from bed and having electronics removed or switched off during study times; this includes text or chat notifications on their computers!
Set a routine.
In addition to location, setting a dedicated study time is key. This will vary student to student. Children and pre-teens often benefit from breaking down homework time into 20-25 minute increments. Let them know when they are and are not allowed to be using technology to play games or chat with friends. If necessary, there are apps that can be used to block certain websites or platforms. Some teens can handle working for longer periods of time. Help your student figure out what their magic number is and encourage them to stick to that time block while studying or completing homework. Additionally, help them to figure out what time of day works best for them to study. I’m sure we can all attest that we have times of day that we are sharper than others! If your student is a morning person, maybe suggest they get up an hour early to finish up their work. If they are a night owl, help keep their evenings free to do so.
Offer incentives and motivators.
Ask yourself, what is my student willing to work for that I can reasonably offer them? Usually, it’s more game time or screen time, or maybe it’s their choice of dinner, pizza night, or having friends over. You can get creative based on what it is your student enjoys! Additionally, helping your student break up long-term goals into smaller tasks is an easy way to make sure they don’t get overwhelmed.
Model a healthy lifestyle.
Do not ignore the mind-body connection! When we combine physical activity with learning, we retain information better. Our brains also have to be nourished, and this begins with the foods we are eating. A diet that is high in refined sugars and processed foods just doesn’t set our students up for success at home, or in the classroom. Encourage regular physical activity and feed them brain-healthy foods (i.e. leafy greens, organic produce, wild-caught fish, olive oil, avocados, cashews). When we begin modeling a healthy lifestyle for our children at a young age, the more likely these habits will become ingrained in their character as they continue to grow and develop into their adolescent years, teen years, and beyond. For parents of older students, if you don’t do so already, implement family meals most days, so that you can have some control over what kind of foods your student is eating.
Ask for help!
If your student is still struggling, there is no shame in reaching out to professionals who can help set them back on track. Our local community is lucky to be filled with fantastic resources offering academic support, parenting support, and family counseling services.
Our mission at Tutoring Club of McLean is to provide students, from early learning to college preparation, with the resources and opportunity to become confident, self-motivated learners for life. We take executive functions very seriously and provide customized training that pinpoints each students’ unique strengths and weaknesses and ultimately guides them towards academic success.
Don’t hesitate to reach out to our center to learn more about how our team of highly trained, caring, and passionate education professionals can aid your student in becoming the best studier they can be!
Michelle Scott
Owner/Director
Tutoring Club of McLean
703.237.TUTOR (8886)
Email:McLeanVA@tutoringclub.com
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