Some ADVICES and TIPS
My Child Is Struggling in School. How Can I Help?
You need to get to the root of the problem to learn how to help your child. So, ask yourself: Does your child struggle to see the blackboard? He could need glasses. Is he/she anxious about going to school? Maybe there's an underlying emotional issue. It is hard for him/her to sit still and focus? He/she could have a problem paying attention. Talk to your child to see what may be getting in the way of learning. Then, schedule an appointment with:
Pediatrician. The doctor can evaluate your son to see if there's a physical problem (for instance, with his vision or hearing) or whether he might have a developmental or behavioral problem, such as attention deficit hyperactivity
School Principal. Tell your child's principal about your concerns and request a referral for an educational evaluation. An educational evaluation can assess your son's strengths and weaknesses and pinpoint any learning disabilities.
One you've identified why your child is struggling, take steps to help support him/her. Some kids with learning disabilities meet with a tutor for a few hours a week to learn study skills that can help them compensate for their learning disability. Others take medicines to help cope with a behavioral problem, like ADHD.
If needed, some schools develop a individualized education program , which addresses a student's needs and outlines things that can help the student improve. These plans make guidelines that teachers must follow. Plans can include tutoring sessions, or the use of special equipment to help with learning, such as books on tape or laptop computers for students who have dyslexia.
With the right support, your child can adjust to any differences he may have and learn new strategies that can help him improve and succeed.
How to set a good study environment?
Designate specific areas for homework and studying which should be quite and less distractions.
Regularity is a key factor in academic success.
A home dictionary is essential. Keep it in an accessible place.
How to take notes in class?
Note-taking is a critical skill and should be developed. Many students don’t know how to take notes in those classes that require them. Some feel they have to write down every word the teacher says. Others have wisely realized the value of an outline form of note-taking. Well prepared teachers present their material in a format that lends itself to outline form note taking.
Should parents help with homework?
Yes-if it is clearly productive to do so, such as calling out spelling words or checking a math problem that won’t prove. No-if it is something the child can clearly handle himself and learn from the process. And help and support should always be calmly and cheerfully given. Grudging help is worse than no help at all! Read directions, or check over math problems after your child has completed the work. Remember to make positive comments – you don’t want your child to associate homework with fights at home. Model research skills by involving your child in planning a family trip. Help your child locate your destination on a map or atlas. Use traditional encyclopedia or a CD-ROM to find information about the place you will visit; try the Internet or books in the library.
How to handle homework frustration?
No learning can take place and little can be accomplished if the child is angry or upset over an assignment that is too long or too difficult. At such times the parent may have to step in and simply halt the homework for that night, offering to write a note to the teacher explaining the situation and perhaps requesting a conference to discuss the quality and length of homework assignments.
How to help your child for tests?
Taking tests can be a traumatic experience for some students. Explain to your child that burning the midnight oil (cramming) the night before a test is not productive. Better to get a good night’s sleep. Students also need reminding that when taking a test, they should thoroughly and carefully read the directions before they haphazardly start to mark their test papers. They should be advised to skip over questions for which they don’t know the answers. They can always return to those if there’s time. Good advice for any student before taking a test: take a deep breath, relax, and dive in. Always bring an extra pencil just in case.
How best to handle school reports?
To save shocks and upsets, gently discuss from time to time “how things are going at school- with your child. Something casual, such as “How did the math test go?” “How did you do on the history report?” “How’s your science project coming along? Need any help?” are questions that aren’t “third degree” but indicate interest. Find out if it is a policy at your child’s school to send out “warning notices” when work isn’t going well. Generally, such notices require the parent’s signature to verify that the parent has, indeed, been alerted. This is the time to contact the teacher of the course, along with your child, to learn what the difficulty may be. If such notices aren’t sent, then grades on projects and reports and from tests may be the sole source of information short of what your child wishes to share. Be tuned in to statements such as “He’s an awful teacher,” “She goes too fast,” etc. This may be the child’s way of indicating frustration in understanding content or lack of study time with the subject. However, be cautious in contacting teachers without your child’s approval or interest. It may disrupt good feelings between you and make you seem to be interfering and spying.
You need to get to the root of the problem to learn how to help your child. So, ask yourself: Does your child struggle to see the blackboard? He could need glasses. Is he/she anxious about going to school? Maybe there's an underlying emotional issue. It is hard for him/her to sit still and focus? He/she could have a problem paying attention. Talk to your child to see what may be getting in the way of learning. Then, schedule an appointment with:
Pediatrician. The doctor can evaluate your son to see if there's a physical problem (for instance, with his vision or hearing) or whether he might have a developmental or behavioral problem, such as attention deficit hyperactivity
School Principal. Tell your child's principal about your concerns and request a referral for an educational evaluation. An educational evaluation can assess your son's strengths and weaknesses and pinpoint any learning disabilities.
One you've identified why your child is struggling, take steps to help support him/her. Some kids with learning disabilities meet with a tutor for a few hours a week to learn study skills that can help them compensate for their learning disability. Others take medicines to help cope with a behavioral problem, like ADHD.
If needed, some schools develop a individualized education program , which addresses a student's needs and outlines things that can help the student improve. These plans make guidelines that teachers must follow. Plans can include tutoring sessions, or the use of special equipment to help with learning, such as books on tape or laptop computers for students who have dyslexia.
With the right support, your child can adjust to any differences he may have and learn new strategies that can help him improve and succeed.
How to set a good study environment?
Designate specific areas for homework and studying which should be quite and less distractions.
Regularity is a key factor in academic success.
A home dictionary is essential. Keep it in an accessible place.
How to take notes in class?
Note-taking is a critical skill and should be developed. Many students don’t know how to take notes in those classes that require them. Some feel they have to write down every word the teacher says. Others have wisely realized the value of an outline form of note-taking. Well prepared teachers present their material in a format that lends itself to outline form note taking.
Should parents help with homework?
Yes-if it is clearly productive to do so, such as calling out spelling words or checking a math problem that won’t prove. No-if it is something the child can clearly handle himself and learn from the process. And help and support should always be calmly and cheerfully given. Grudging help is worse than no help at all! Read directions, or check over math problems after your child has completed the work. Remember to make positive comments – you don’t want your child to associate homework with fights at home. Model research skills by involving your child in planning a family trip. Help your child locate your destination on a map or atlas. Use traditional encyclopedia or a CD-ROM to find information about the place you will visit; try the Internet or books in the library.
How to handle homework frustration?
No learning can take place and little can be accomplished if the child is angry or upset over an assignment that is too long or too difficult. At such times the parent may have to step in and simply halt the homework for that night, offering to write a note to the teacher explaining the situation and perhaps requesting a conference to discuss the quality and length of homework assignments.
How to help your child for tests?
Taking tests can be a traumatic experience for some students. Explain to your child that burning the midnight oil (cramming) the night before a test is not productive. Better to get a good night’s sleep. Students also need reminding that when taking a test, they should thoroughly and carefully read the directions before they haphazardly start to mark their test papers. They should be advised to skip over questions for which they don’t know the answers. They can always return to those if there’s time. Good advice for any student before taking a test: take a deep breath, relax, and dive in. Always bring an extra pencil just in case.
How best to handle school reports?
To save shocks and upsets, gently discuss from time to time “how things are going at school- with your child. Something casual, such as “How did the math test go?” “How did you do on the history report?” “How’s your science project coming along? Need any help?” are questions that aren’t “third degree” but indicate interest. Find out if it is a policy at your child’s school to send out “warning notices” when work isn’t going well. Generally, such notices require the parent’s signature to verify that the parent has, indeed, been alerted. This is the time to contact the teacher of the course, along with your child, to learn what the difficulty may be. If such notices aren’t sent, then grades on projects and reports and from tests may be the sole source of information short of what your child wishes to share. Be tuned in to statements such as “He’s an awful teacher,” “She goes too fast,” etc. This may be the child’s way of indicating frustration in understanding content or lack of study time with the subject. However, be cautious in contacting teachers without your child’s approval or interest. It may disrupt good feelings between you and make you seem to be interfering and spying.