It is the last day of September and everyone is settled in the schools.
Around this time of year we see parents start asking themselves how to help their children with study skills.
We decided to start series of blog and vlog material to help you with finding the answers.
The first topic is how to help the child to study.
First of all you’ll need to be a study buddy, sort of a helper. This can make all the difference to a student’s achievement.
In order to successfully assist a student, the helper should adopt a positive attitude, an open mind to new methods, join in with the tasks and feedback.
Attitude
It can be challenging to work with a friend or a student in your family. That’s why it is crucial for a helper to start with the right attitude. Stay calm and positive, and try to keep a neutral tone.
The student will benefit more if you don’t share any negative experience. By starting short focused study periods you can build a positive attitude.
The helper should try and show that they value education and should maintain an active interest in the student’s learning.
Some students believe in luck – helpers should encourage students to realize that practising good learning habits, and not luck, is the key to success.
Teaching methods
Most of the times helpers have been out of education for a long time. They’ll find that teaching methods have changed significantly. Subjects may be taught differently and methods of assessment have changed.
The helper shouldn’t forget that we live in the era of technology and this is applicable to student’s academic life too.
Learning apps, usage of tablets in class and online libraries are to name but a few of technological innovations students use nowadays.
Learning together
Learning with another person can be both productive and enjoyable and it stimulates thinking.
When a person shares their knowledge with some else, it helps to clarify his or her own thoughts and to embed the concepts and methods involved.
Students gain from helper’s experience, knowledge and different points of view. At the same time they learn to cope with challenges and criticism.
Feedback
It is very important to help keep students motivated by giving them feedback. It is best to balance praise with constructive criticism.
The “sandwich” approach works well.
Start with positive comments, then indicate what could be improved, focusing on the main issues and being as specific as possible. Finally, it is good to offer further positive comments to end the discussion on a good note.
Hope you’ll find these tips helpful.
Afsana Hamzayeva