Schools are constantly looking for ways to provide students with the best possible education to prepare them for the rigor of university life. Take for instance the Cambridge International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) program which schools prepare students so they can qualify for any university of their choosing.
But educators believe that the most effective way to cultivate a love for learning in students is if the parents are involved in their child’s school activities. Learning should not stop when the school bell rings. At home, there are many ways parents can make studying a fun time for students and create activities that they can do as a family.
Here are some ideas you can explore to get you engaged and involved in your child’s learning development.
Meet with the teachers
Just before exam season starts, you can start meeting with your kids’ teachers. Ask them how you can help your child study at home and the areas they need to improve. Similarly, you can also give the teachers tips on how to better create a rapport with your kids. Make it clear that you want this to be a partnership so that the kids can reach their potential.
Participate in parent-teacher conferences
Parent-teacher conferences are the best way to share your concerns with the school. You can have a dialogue with them about the learning environment, the teaching style, or even the resources available for the student’s to use. You can also talk to other parents and swap tips on how to make sure you are able to provide a comfortable environment for your kids to study at home.
Help out with homeworks and projects
You do not necessarily have to do their homeworks and projects with them. Setting aside an area in which they can work, preparing them snacks, or establishing a specific time for schoolwork are just some of the ways you can ensure their work gets done accordingly.
Do note that some kids work well when there are distractions like television or music. Allow them these while they are studying because it just means that they are at their most productive when there is a medium for them to break rote learning.
Find out how they are doing in school
This is a conversation you should discuss with both the teacher and your kids (only on different tones, of course). Ask them how they are doing compared to the other students in class. If they are having trouble keeping up, consider getting them a tutor. Remember that more hours of studying is not going to solve this problem because every child’s learning curve is different. This might just mean that they might need to get exposed to a different teaching style.
Help them study for standardized tests
The IGCSEs is not the only standardized tests they need to take. There are other national examinations they need to prepare for before they can get into post-secondary studies. The first thing you need to do is learn more about what the standardized tests are. How is the test administered and what are the subjects covered in the exam?
Then you can help your kids with preparations before the exam by helping them study and providing support. After the exam, make sure they know that whatever the result is, you know they did their best.
The most important thing to remember when getting involved in your child’s education is not to stifle them when they need to break from routine. Constantly tell them that you are on their side. While you want them to excel in school, you are also concerned about their mental, emotional, and physical health. So make sure that you are able to show them that they are allowed to tell you what is happening with them, and as their guardians, we must show that we understand them.
