Good Grades Now Means Improving Your Study Skills

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Although improving study habits or skills result in good
grades, do you know what these skills are? They are
regular, consistent study habits that good students use
every time they prepare for a test or do homework. In this
section, study habits that help primary school students get
good grades now will be emphasized.

Study habits are learned at home. Parenting means teaching
our children these skills and making them habits. Study
skills are so important to good grades now that some think
grades really measure how well parents teach their children
to study, particularly in the primary grades. The purpose
of this section is to help parents teach their children
effective study habits, not only to improve good grades now,
but to make education easier and, even, enjoyable.

Despite the fact good study habits are, largely, a
discipline we instill in our children, we must always bear
in mind that learning through play inspires children to
learn more. So, any opportunity to mix play and learning
together should be taken. Hence, making learning play is a
study skill for getting good grades now. Note TV and
video-computer games are not considered play since they
increase anxiety and aggression.

At the top of the list regarding study skills is seeing that
your child is paying attention to the teacher. His eyes
should always be on the teacher when she is talking. One
way to confirm that he is paying attention is to check with
the teacher. A second method is visiting the class and
seeing for yourself. Another way is to make sure he is
regularly answering and asking questions in class. Hence,
when he arrives home, ask him about his class participation.

Your behavior demonstrates to the child you are interested
in her getting good grades now.

Study skill training, chiefly, occurs at home. Parents must
assure that their children have a regular place and time to
study. They must see to it that their children are studying
at that regular time and place as well.

It is important that children begin their studies soon after
arriving home, with no noise or distractions to interfere
with their doing homework. A desk, adequate lighting,
quiet, and a comfortable chair are a good start. Giving
school studies the highest priority at home causes children
to give it a high priority in their lives.

Homework should be prioritized, with the most difficult
tasks completed first, while the child is fresh and alert,
or, alternatively, waiting until a parent arrives home to
tackle an especially difficult problem.

A consistent plan will help your child get good grades now.

Parents must use their own judgement to determine, for
example, if the children should play for a short time,
after school, before commencing their homework, or if they
should dive into it immediately, and how long study breaks
should be. What is best will be determined by what works
for your family. Remember to praise children for work
completed properly and on time.

Children will respond to praise by getting good grades now.

It may be that your children will move heaven and earth to
get their homework done if allowed to play right after
school with their friends. Again, what works best for your
family will determine your decisions. Bear in mind,
however, that the later in the day school study begins the
less its importance becomes in the child's mind and the
more likely the child will tire before completing it.

Regular scheduled play breaks are important. A play break
can be used as a reward after a particular problem is
completed correctly. In this way the completion of a
difficult problem is associated with a reward, play. What's
more, a play break should not involve TV or computer games,
but physical movement like playing with friends or going
outside to play with the dog.

Video-computer games and TV increase anxiety and aggression
and are not associated with attaining good grades now.
These activities are associated with obesity and decreased
learning in school. What's more, they interfere with old
fashioned play and, therefore, increase obesity due to lack
of exercise.

Video-computer games and TV increase negative emotions like
anxiety, which for the child already stressed by doing his
homework, may increase the problem and interfere with
completing it. Moreover, since negative emotions are
associated with decreased learning, it is better that these
activities be limited to about one hour per day.

Good study skills mean once homework is begun no
distractions should be allowed. This teaches children to
concentrate on their studies. Some kids like to stand up
and then sit down while studying. This can increase
circulation and aid attention and is okay.

Other children like to put on their favorite study hat when
they do homework as a physical reminder to help them
concentrate on their work. Respect for kids individual
learning habits will help them get good grades now.

Good study skills emphasize relaxing and thinking about the
challenge (brainstorming possible solutions) before tackling
it. Creating a plan of attack ahead of time is often
helpful to the student. In this way assignments can be
simplified and completed in small, digestible bites,
avoiding any overwhelming feelings.

Putting difficult problems into one's own words can help a
child understand the problem better, instead of relying on
rote learning. Beware of rote learning where your child can
repeat the solution to a problem, but doesn't understand
what she is saying. Therefore, stress to her that
understanding the problem is more important.

Children may have different learning styles. Some children
learn better by hearing, others by seeing a demonstration,
and still others by reading. Keep in mind that your child
may have a learning style that suits him best. Teach to his
style. For deeper learning, use all three styles together.

Rewarding a student for good grades now is a judgment call.
If it works for your child, why not, but remember the bottom
line is that our children learn to enjoy learning for its
own sake. This is why making learning fun and learning
through play are such excellent study skills for getting
good grades now.

Bear in mind that the study skills described herein are
simply a guide for the parent and not etched in stone. Use
what works best for your child to help him or her, not only
learn, but enjoy learning and the result will be good
grades now.

For more ideas regarding study skills, consult the internet, here.

Main points regarding teaching proper study skills at
home:

1. Giving school work the highest priority at home
   emphasizes its importance in the child's mind.
   
   
2. No TV or video-computer games during homework hours, and
   limit these activities to one hour per day.
   
   
3. Children should begin homework as soon as possible after
   returning from school.
   
   
4. It's important they commence homework at a regular time
   and at a comfortable place with no distractions.
   
   
5. Regular rewarding breaks for work completed on time and
   well done is important. A number of short breaks help
   prevent boredom and frustration and keeps the child working
   energetically.
   
   
6. Relax, think and plan before tackling a problem.
   
   
7. Put difficult problems into your own words, instead of
   relying on rote learning.
   
   
8. Keep in mind that children have different learning
   styles, such as seeing a demonstration, versus hearing it,
   versus reading. Use all three styles for deeper learning.
   
   
9. Look for an opportunity to include learning through play
   and making learning fun in their study skills.
   
   
10. Keep in mind, children differ in which study skills suit
    them best. Determine, with your child's help, which ones
    work best for him.
    
    
11. Regular review of important information fixes it in
    memory.
    
    
    

• The student's eyes should always be on the teacher when
  she's talking.
  
  
• To keep the student interested and to assure she is
  attending to the teacher, she should be regularly answering
  and asking questions.
  
  
• For the development of proper study skills regular parent
  and teacher communication is a must.
  
  
• Parenting means the occasional visit to the classroom to
  assure your child is attending to the teacher.
  
  
• THE GREATEST STUDY SKILL OF ALL IS MAKING LEARNING FUN!