How Moms Can Help Kids Improve Study Skills

It’s crucial to Help Kids Improve Study Skills while they are young. Working as a family towards improving study skills is a wonderful way for kids to feel less intimidated, more willing to get their work done, and put in the effort to get the grades they are capable of.

Schools are changing how grades 7-12 are evaluated to focus on abilities, not accomplishments. This is forcing us, parents, to look for activities to help our children improve their study skills. There are often challenges doing this; for example, limitations on time, busy moms finding the energy to motivate our kids, and the availability of distractions in smartphones can make it hard for parents to find what works for their children.

As a mom of 7, I’ve found it is best to teach these valuable skills early on. We all know how important it is for children to get on some form of educational track. Building strong study skills allows kids to not only succeed in school but also sets them apart in the workforce of tomorrow.

By teaching my children while they are still quite young about what their teachers and schools will expect from them so they are better prepared for later on when their workload increases as they get older. I’ve put together some tips and ideas on how I’ve navigated my kiddos in our chaotic home to improve their study skills. And as we know each of our kids is different so some of these things have worked for some and some have failed. But us moms know how to role and create what works for them.

Teach Your Children How to Study

Don’t assume that your children will just learn to study on their own. Learning good study habits is an important skill, and you can share some of the methods that you use for studying with them.

For example, if you highlight different points in books as you study, then you can demonstrate that method to them. If you always use flashcards when studying, then you can demonstrate that method to them as well. You can share any study techniques that you have learned throughout the years with them, as well as any mnemonic techniques that you have found effective while studying.

Create a Space

Setting up a space for your child is a great way to help our kids improve their study skills. Depending on the age of your child, you may want to use different areas to study depending on the time of day and the space you have at home. A homework station can be used by all ages and helps with organization and focus. It should not be too active or in the middle of too much activity as it will draw away from studying.

Create a routine

Establishing free time after school to avoid overstimulation is one of the most important things you can do for your child. Establishing a routine, finding out what your child needs, and creating an environment that supports their success are also very important.

Encourage Your Child to Read 

Encourage your children to read more and build their vocabulary with books on comprehension; we know we can’t expect more from something we don’t make time for. Children who read and build a strong vocabulary are more likely to improve their study skills. Encouraging my kids to read is something I start early on, raising readers is something that we can start when they are newborns.

Talk to your child about books they enjoy and are interested in. Along with reading, find out if your child is learning through other ways. If they are, encourage them to continue with what is working for them. Along with reading, find alternative methods of learning like computer games that are educational.

Remind Kids of the Negative Effects of Procrastination 

Practicing good study skills, especially when it comes to exams, can be a real challenge for students. Procrastination can be a habit too, and one that is difficult to break. In the case of studying, the negative effects of procrastination are most visible when it comes to learning and memorization. It is important to teach your children that it is much better to give yourself plenty of time to study rather than trying to cram everything in at the last minute.

Studying for exams or cramming before a test may seem like a good idea at first but will only lead to poor performance in the long term. It is important to help your kids determine a study schedule that is right for them. If they’re studying while hungry or late at night when they should be sleeping, they won’t accomplish much. Additionally, encouraging them to quiz themselves so they will know if they have mastered the material is a great study habit.

Decrease Distractions and Interruptions While Studying

A good study session requires the right environment to do it in. Explain to children that while breaks are important, they can also be distracting. When a child stops studying, it can take them a while to get focused again. Distractions make it hard to learn.

Distractions like television and the Internet can make it nearly impossible to study. It’s important to teach your kids that they should not surf the Internet or answer emails while studying, no matter how tempting that may be. The same goes for phone calls – unless it’s an emergency, it can wait.

What is a Study Schedule?

One of the best ways to help kids improve their study skills is by developing good habits. One way you can do this is by setting up a study schedule that will help our children focus on their work and avoid distractions. A good habit for helping with studying, however, is using tools like planners or notebooks to structure their time not only during school but also at home so that they are able to stay focused on the tasks at hand. Keep in mind the tools we create will be geared by their age and what “works” best for them.

The hardest part of improving study skills is consistency; it’s important that our kiddos develop good habits and keep them on a consistent basis.

Use Technology to Make it Fun!

With the help of technology, parents can make studying fun for their children. They can choose from a variety of educational games and interactive apps that will keep their kids engaged and excited about learning.

Educational games are not just for adults anymore. There are many games available now that promote critical thinking skills, critical reading skills, creativity skills, and even math skills. These games are great because they not only test your knowledge but also train you to use these skills in real-life scenarios.

Apps like Duolingo are also quite popular among kids as they teach the basics of languages to children through gamification – adding an element of fun to learning languages.

How to Help your Child to be Interested in Studying

Many parents worry that their children don’t like school or are not interested in studying. I’ve found some ways that can help make your child more interested in doing well in school.

Take care of the physical and mental health of your child, including giving them enough sleep, refueling after a long day physically and mentally (after-school snacks are key at any age), and making sure they are having just the right amount of school work and fun.

When you have a sense of what your child needs to do to perform best academically, share this information with them so they know how to work towards their goals. As my kids have gotten older I have found that talking with them (not at them) and having them actively participate in our plan of action gets the best results. And at the end of the day, them improving their study skills is for their future and the key to their success NOT OURS.

Teach Kids Study Skills By Example

Sometimes the best way to teach something is to show that you practice it. When you are trying to work on something, show that you avoid all distractions. Your kids will see that you do not procrastinate or take frequent breaks. When it comes to teaching kids study skills, it’s important to “practice what you preach,” so to speak.

It’s never too early to start developing a strong study habit. As a student, you know how important it is to be able to process information quickly, and as an adult, you know that there’s always something new to learn.

Which study techniques have worked for your family?

Some of the techniques that have worked best for my children are providing time after school for a quick snack and a breather from the long day they had. Making homework and studying fun and reminding them of the importance of getting their work down so they can do other things throughout the evening. As my kids have gotten older instilling the importance of taking notes, reading ahead in their textbook, and studying with a partner or group can be very helpful.

Helping our Kids Improve their Study Skills is one of the most beneficial things we can give them. These are building blocks to help them in their primary years, high school, college, and even as they go out into the world to work.