Parents can help with schoolwork at home by setting a non-negotiable routine for lunch, relaxation and homework, providing a quiet study space and guiding with instructions rather than giving answers. Ask your child to explain what they learnt, limit screen time to one or two hours a day, ensure 8 to 10 hours of sleep and praise small achievements.
Signs of a learning barrier include a significant drop in marks, incomplete or disorganised work, hyperactivity, inattention, impulsivity and unhappiness at school. Parents should talk to the teacher, have the child’s hearing and sight tested and consult medical professionals, because identifying a learning barrier early means support can start sooner. Trust your instincts and keep communicating.
Being smart means more than doing well in Mathematics and Science. Howard Gardner identified eight types of intelligence: linguistic, logical-mathematical, visuospatial, musical, bodily-kinaesthetic, naturalist, interpersonal and intrapersonal, with a possible ninth, existential intelligence. Parents can expose children to varied experiences to find their strengths, nurture those strengths and still encourage effort in every subject.
Parents can improve a child’s attitude towards learning in three ways: show interest in their school day by asking specific questions, build a love of learning through curiosity, reading and new experiences such as museums and concerts, and teach independent work by guiding children to solutions rather than giving answers. Realistic expectations help protect motivation.
