With the increase in the amount that children learn in schools and the emphasis for them to complete a lot more study at home, parents should help and encourage kids. in these times, it can be extremely beneficial to emulate their interest, just as a home tutor would. There are a few study tips that can help a child think more for themselves, rather than just being assisted in their study all the time.
The child should have no major distractions. So, if the TV is on it should be turned off, as with cell phones or other gadgets. It is really important that all these should be out of view during study periods.
A great place to work is the first thing a home tutor would ask for, as they can see from a learning standpoint that this is vitally important. Make sure the child has ample space to become organized and work. The area should be large enough so papers can be spread out. There should be enough lighting so as not to make it difficult to read. Pens, pencils, paper and a calculator should be on hand and wherever the child is sitting, their chair should be at the correct height for them. If they are unable to sit comfortably, it will be difficult for them to concentrate.
Another thing a home tutor would emphasize is, keeping track of assignments. The child should become familiar with using a planner, and on this they can write when they have assignments that need to be completed. They would cross them off once they have been submitted, and any arrangements with friends or family they have upcoming should also be put on their planner. Actually, this enforces some self-discipline and also teaches them fundamental planning skills.
Filing and Tracking
If the child has a lot of papers, it may be easy for some to get lost, a system should be in place that can help the child become more responsible for their work , and also more organized. A concertina folder is a great way to start, because each segment can be identified with each subject. This can keep all their papers on a school day. Filed for easy referencing. A folder for “in progress” and another one for “submitted work” can be color coded, or labeled. These can be color-coded for subject too and easily identified.
If the child has a home tutor, these would-be sessions of around 1 hour, and during this there would probably be a 10-minute break. Encourage the child to estimate how long it will take them to complete their task. It is best that they should ideally work in blocks of 30 – 45 minutes before having a break or completing the task. This will help them focus, as they have an endpoint of what they should be aiming for. If they require too much time, it may mean they are having problems or need extra assistance.
Splitting Big Projects
If the child has a big project, they should be encouraged to split this into smaller tasks, and each of these should follow the 30-45 minute blocks. Hopefully, this will stop them becoming overwhelmed with the work that needs to be completed, and less likely it will be left until the last minute.
When trying to memorize things, children should stay in the habit of using post-it notes to write facts on, and these should be placed in visible areas so they are constantly aware of them. Posers on walls can be used in the bathroom, bedroom or hall. Essentially, this is much more effective than just re-reading.
Nat Lind is a home tutor specializing in a wide range of academic areas, including general core subjects, health and natural nutrition. She is currently guest blogging for https://smiletutor.sg/ who help students with their studies for home tutor, Singapore. She hopes to give insight to lots of individuals in many areas and educational topics.