Published:
11/16/2010 05:06pm
Back-To-School Learning Tips
As summer winds down, working moms and parents everywhere want to help their kids prepare to start the new school year with the skills they need to succeed.
Getting kids excited about learning is a matter of teaching them to be fully engaged in the moment. At SuperCamp we call this concept “This is it!” It’s one of our 8 Keys of Excellence that we teach campers. Here are some ideas we share with students and parents:
1. Create a “home office” for studying
A study area should be quiet and away from distractions. It can be the student’s bedroom, a den, loft, or spare room, comfortably furnished and well lit. Stock the area with reference books, writing materials, textbooks, computers and a daily planner. Make it a project to get kids’ ideas on what works for them and help them create it.
2. Put up affirmation signs
You and your kids can make some signs that contain affirmations such as “I believe in myself,” “Everything I do deserves my best effort,” and “I can learn this!” Positive signs will remind a student of his or her potential to learn.
3. Add some music to the mix
Some classical music is "brain friendly" and helps students access their most resourceful learning state. Bach, Handel, Pachelbel and Vivaldi are great choices.
4. Help students tap into their learning style
Everyone learns through visual, auditory, and kinesthetic means. Most people favor one way over the others. Parents of visual learners can provide pictures, graphs, charts, and other tools to help them see the big picture. Parents of auditory learners can help students by discussing and listening. Parents of kinesthetic learners can provide hands-on experiences related to studies.
5. Plan ahead for success
Teach teens to use a calendar to mark days for upcoming tests, organize tasks, create a game plan for what they need to do and allocate their time. Following a plan allows them to review content more than once, remember more at test time and avoid stress.
6. Help kids realize how they benefit
Some students do well in one class but decide another is boring. The quickest way to achieve an attitude adjustment is to help them realize what’s in it for them. Ask, “Why would you want to learn what the teacher is teaching?” The answer may be as simple as, “So I can pass my exams.”
Help the student understand how good grades can help him or her achieve other goals, like getting into a dream college or leading a successful career. By understanding what's in it for them, students will find that their time spent studying and in class has far more purpose.
