To Get Good Grades, Improve Your Study Skills

For parenting information that will help improve study skills,
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Although improving study habits or skills result in better
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 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 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 grades, 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. 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.

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.

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.

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. These activities are associated with obesity
and decreased learning in school. What's more, they
interfere with old fashioned play and, therefore, increase
obesity.

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
activites 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.

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 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.

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.

Main points regarding teaching proper study skills at
home:

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

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.


In class study skills are the following:


1. The student's eyes should always be on the teacher when
she's talking.

2. To keep the student interested and to assure she is
attending to the teacher, she should be regularly answering
and asking questions.

3. For the development of proper study skills regular parent
and teacher communication is a must.

4. Parenting means the occasional visit to the classroom to
assure your child is attending to the teacher.