10 Tips for Parents to Help Their Primary School Child Study

Having a kid in primary school is not easy in any way, shape, or form, but it can be a lot of fun. Our children are a constant source of new knowledge and insights into modern life. But the truth is, no matter how much they seem to know and understand, they still need our help until the end of primary school. You will still need to help your child study.

Here is a list of ten things parents can do to help their kids learn with ease throughout all primary school classes.

Be present

Be at every parent-teacher meeting, every play and volunteering activity. Let your child know you have their back. That way you’ll stay on top of current happenings at their school and you’ll be able to spot if your kid is struggling either academically or socially, and then react accordingly.

This is essential whether your child attends a traditional public school or an NYC Charter Elementary School. Do not try to do things instead of them, instead provide support and let them deal with all the academic challenges. If your child senses that you are willing to spend time on their art projects, essays, and so on, they will most probably exploit it, and you will be stuck with school assignments while they are outside playing. So be firm, provide them with an adequate learning environment and equipment, and let them achieve success on their own merit.

Show them you believe in them

This is essential, do not try to do things instead of them, rather provide support and let them deal with all the academic challenges. If your child senses that you are willing to spend time on their art projects, essays and so on, they will most probably exploit it and you will be stuck with school assignments while they are outside playing. So be firm, provide them with an adequate learning environment and equipment and let them achieve success on their own merit.

Provide help when needed

Take a page from Australian parenting book. Most parents Down Under have realized that they are not all-knowing and that sometimes they can’t provide their kids with the right kind of help. So this has lead to an increase in demand for tutoring in Australia, and we now see parents opting for qualified tutors to help their kids achieve their academic goals. So, as you can see you don’t have to have all the answers, just hire someone who does.

Follow through

It is not expected of you to be the homework policeman, but in the first few grades of primary school, it would be wise to check your child’s homework from time to time. That way you won’t be in for a nasty surprise on the next parent-teacher meeting. It is important to establish a routine at a young age when it comes to doing homework and to try not to stray too much away from it.

Be an advocate if you have to

If you notice that your child is overwhelmed by the curriculum or that they are struggling with some issues it is ok to raise your concerns with the teacher and if that doesn’t work go all the way to the principal. You have the right to question the curriculum, and certain school policies, if you think that your child is doing their best and still failing.

Encourage reading

So you best replace that smartphone or tablet in your child’s hand with a book from time to time. Reading improves children’s creativity and it stimulates their imagination. And not only that, it can also have a great positive effect on their learning abilities regarding different subjects.

Do not support quitting

In the words of the great William Edward Hickson – If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again. This is one of the most valuable lessons you could teach your kids in order to help them achieve better academic success. When things get hard, and subjects at school seem impossible to learn, do not encourage them to quit, rather motivate them to work even harder and they will cherish their success that much more.

Teach them the right organizational skills

One of the most important life lessons you can pass on to your child is time management and workload organization. Take some time and come up with a realistic study plan. Help your child find the right organizational techniques that work best for them and then teach them how to make the most of the time they are given.

Help them conquer the art of socialization

Primary school can at times prove to be quite challenging, and for some kids making friends is not that easy. By teaching your child proper social skills and providing them with tools when it comes to interaction with other children, you are enabling them to lead a fuller life. This will have a positive effect on their studying because they will be able to get a study buddy or even learn how to share notes and tips.

Don’t be judgemental

If your kid comes home with a bad grade, don’t make a big fuss out of it, especially if it is the first time something like that happened. Take time to consider all the factors leading to that situation and try to find the most effective solution. The key is to help your child get motivated to do better next time and not to scare them even further. This is not an easy task for any parent.

There you have it, some great and applicable advice to help you steer the treacherous waters that are the primary school years. Good luck in helping your child study!