Student Wellbeing
How to Help Your Child Succeed This Year (and Every Year).
Michael Grose
As parents, we all want our children to succeed academically and develop a love for learning.
While teachers play a vital role in a child's education, parents also significantly influence their child's academic success.
Implementing a few proven strategies can help you create a supportive and enriching environment that nurtures your child's growth and development.
Here are five actionable ideas that will help you set the best possible environment for your child’s success, regardless of their age, ability or interests.
1. Establish a consistent routine
I know the term "Routine" will hardly send your pulse racing with excitement, but it’s an often-overlooked factor in parenting success.
Kids crave stability and predictability, as they feel safe and in control. Sometimes they use predictability against their parents (“Can’t I stay up later than 7 o’clock tonight?”), which is a behavioural issue I’ll address another time, but routines mostly serve kids and parents well.
Establishing a daily routine with set times for waking up, meals, homework, and bedtime can help children develop good habits and manage their time effectively.
Set a regular bedtime
School success is enhanced when a child’s physical needs are met. Sleep is perhaps the trickiest yet most vital part of the eat, play, and sleep physical triangle to meet.
Create a study schedule
“Homework,” “Reading time,” “Project work.” Regardless of the moniker, kids usually have tasks each night, ranging from reading books in the early years to completing assignments in the later years.
- Designate a specific time each day for homework and study. This helps children develop a routine and reduces procrastination. When my children were in primary school, I preferred doing homework before the evening meal. However, this didn’t work when after-school sports had to be negotiated, so we learned to be flexible with individual study schedules.
Include breaks, downtime and short bursts of work
Your child will do their best work when they’re rested, so help them balance work with free time. Discuss the need for short breaks, especially when working in front of a screen.
- Some children, especially boys, do their best work in short bursts, so consider introducing time limits for their work.
Expert tip: When setting routines, involve children in age-appropriate ways. When kids have input into a decision, they’re more likely to stick to it.
2. Foster a love for reading
Reading is a fundamental skill that underpins academic success in all subjects. Encouraging a love for reading from an early age significantly impacts a child's literacy skills and overall academic performance.
Some children are naturally drawn to reading.
Others would rather be doing something more active.
Adjust your expectations and your methods accordingly.
Read together
Set aside time each day to read with your child. Choose books that interest them and discuss the stories to enhance comprehension.
This is especially pertinent if your child isn’t entirely comfortable with reading.
Create a reader-friendly environment.
Are reading materials readily available in your home or apartment? Is there a quiet place for your child (and you) to read? Do you have lists and quotes posted on walls?
Consider how you can make reading easy, essential, and enjoyable for your child at home.
Model reading - dads too.
Children are wired to imitate, so if they see you reading books, magazines, and newspapers, this will become normal for them. (The same goes for using mobile phones, but that’s another story!)
Significantly, UK research has found that when dads model reading at home, boys are more likely to read as well. Like father, like son.
Expert tip: Go a little when you read to your kids. Use different voices. Have fun. Make the words (and yourself) come alive to make your child sit up and listen.
3. Communicate with teachers
A teacher is a parent’s best friend. They see a side of your child that you don’t see.
You may not always agree with everything your child’s teacher does, but it’s smart parenting to build a respectful relationship with them.
Base the relationship on open and regular communication, and be mindful that your teacher has many students in their class, not just yours.
Attend parent-teacher conferences
Make it a priority to attend parent-teacher conferences regularly to discuss your child's strengths, areas for improvement, and any challenges they may face.
Stay informed
Keep your side of the bargain by staying up-to-date with school newsletters, emails, and announcements, so you know what’s going on.
Collaborate on solutions
Work with teachers to develop strategies and solutions to support your child's learning needs. This collaborative approach ensures that home and school environments are aligned to help your child's success.
Expert tip: Avoid letting concerns linger too long before contacting your child’s teacher about a potential issue. When approaching your child’s teacher, choose the appropriate time, be specific about the situation and be open to collaboration.
4. Keep your expectations high, yet reasonable
Research consistently shows that parent expectations and attitudes impact how kids approach work.
This is one area of influence that you can control.
However, parent expectations of a child’s school success are tricky. If they are too high, they may give up. It’s all too hard.
Too low, and they’ll meet them. They’re merely cruising.
Above their current level, but with effort, within reach- now you’re talking.
Encourage your child to embrace challenges, learn from mistakes, and view setbacks as opportunities for growth, which can help them develop resilience and a positive attitude toward learning.
Praise effort, not just results
Focus on praising your child's effort, persistence, and hard work rather than solely on their achievements.
This reinforces the idea that effort leads to improvement, fostering a growth mindset that’s so helpful for learning.
Develop the skills of self-sufficiency
There’s a strong correlation between your child’s personal agency and success at school. You can quickly build your child’s competency and confidence by teaching them the skills of independence and autonomy.
Encourage self-reflection and goal-setting.
Help your child reflect on their learning experiences and identify areas for improvement.
Use questions such as “What can you learn from this?” “What will you do differently next time?” to encourage your child to reflect on their efforts and work toward improvement rather than be stymied by mistakes and challenges.
Expert tip: Encourage them to set goals and develop action plans to achieve them. This means breaking more significant tasks—e.g., a school project—into smaller chunks and planning work over a set period.
5. Create a positive learning environment
A positive and supportive learning environment at home can significantly impact a child's academic success.
Start by creating a learning-friendly environment and providing the necessary resources to help your child stay focused and motivated.
Create a designated learning area
Set up a quiet, well-lit, and organised study area where your child can complete homework and study without distractions.
Avoid having your child do homework in bed, as this habit can make them associate their bed with work, making it harder for them to sleep.
Provide learning resources
Ensure your child has access to the necessary supplies, such as books, stationery, and educational tools. Consider incorporating technology, such as educational apps and online resources, to enhance their learning experience.
Encourage curiosity and exploration
Foster a love for learning by encouraging your child to explore their interests and ask questions. Provide opportunities for hands-on learning experiences, such as science experiments, art projects, and educational outings.
Expert tip: Keep the learning space free of play and other activities so that children associate it with learning.
Finally….
Parents play a vital role in their children's academic success.
By establishing a consistent routine, fostering a love of reading, communicating with teachers, setting reasonable yet high expectations, and creating a positive learning environment, parents can provide the support and guidance their children need to thrive at school.
Your child can develop the skills and confidence needed to succeed academically and beyond with your support and encouragement.
Jenny Todd
(Student Wellbeing Leader)