Featured Article

How to Help Your Child Start a Successful School Year
Written by Julie M. Armenta, M.A. Education & Family Specialist
Armenta Learning Academy

Parents often ask me how they can help their child be more successful in school. Your child’s success will increase by building good study habits, and by getting involved with your child’s learning. Listed below are several ideas to assist you. I hope these ideas will help you challenge and motivate your child to learn.

Top 10 Study Tips and Habits From Mrs. Armenta:

1. Provide a quiet work place that is free of noise and distractions. The focus needs to be on studying, not watching television or talking on the telephone. Make sure family members and visitors are respectful of your child’s study time.

2. Create a daily study schedule. Begin by setting 20 to 30 minutes of study time, depending on your child’s age. For children in the primary grades, the most common time frame is 1 hour. For middle school grades, the time frame can range from 2-3 hours. High school students usually spend at least 3 hours daily doing homework. The best time of day to study is right after school or right after dinner.

3. Keep the same study schedule even if your child does not have homework. That time cam be spent reading, doing math, or something you assign. Encourage your child to work ahead, as this will help your child become disciplined.

4. Continual review of material learned is one of the most IMPORTANT keys to educational success. Review in the car with your child, in a line, in a store, anytime you are with them.

5. If your child is having problems getting started with homework, help them with the first problem, or give an example. This will enable you to ask questions and to show an interest in the work.

6. Encourage your child to check his/her homework for completion and accuracy. You should your child’s work as well, fee free to work with them and ask your child to explain the material if you have any questions. This will build verbal communication skills, and it will show you whether your child has mastered the concept in question.

7. If your child tends to procrastinate and waste study time, set limits on how long she/he has to complete a task. Encourage your child to set daily, weekly and monthly academic goals.

8. Work before play is still one of the BEST study rules. This builds discipline– not procrastination.

9. Check with your child’s teacher to see what schoolwork is to be done. Consider asking your child’s teacher for weekly or monthly contracts.

10. Praise and rewards tell the child he/she is being successful. This builds self-esteem and encourages your child to learn.

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Article written by
Julie M. Armenta, MA Founder & Education & Family Specialist
Armenta Learning Academy
27665 Forbes Road, Ste #201
Laguna Niguel, CA 92677
949-367-WISE(9473)
academicsuccessnow@yahoo.com

Mrs. Armenta looks forward to working with your child on their academic journey, and having a successful school year. Armenta Learning Academy provides Academic & Enrichment Programs, Pre-K thru Adult, Onsite/Offsite, 7 days a week. Call for support in all subjects in your home or at the academy.