Better Parent Blog
Parenting advice, study tips and everything in between!
Cyberbullying – Here’s what you should know
Cyberbullying is the use of digital technology to harass, threaten or humiliate a child, and it can follow children everywhere, all day. Warning signs include distress after using devices, withdrawal and changes in mood, sleep or schoolwork. If it happens, support your child without judgement, keep screenshots as evidence, inform the school and consider therapy.
Why must my child write exams?
Children write exams because exams encourage them to engage with their schoolwork and show teachers and parents where the gaps in their knowledge are. Exam marks and feedback help children set goals and improve, help teachers adjust future lessons and confirm whether learners are meeting grade requirements, much like workplace appraisals later in life.
Does your child know their passions?
Parents can help a child discover their passions by observing them at play, asking what they love and why, and exposing them to books, museums, sports, arts and other experiences. Encourage related clubs or lessons without pushing interests they have dropped, connect them with people in those fields and model a positive attitude towards work.
4 ways to make studying fun
Studying can be made more fun by building free time and small rewards into study sessions, using educational apps and games, and learning through everyday activities, such as measuring water with cups to explore capacity in Mathematics. Word games, play-based learning and letting children lead the learning also help make studying feel less like a chore.
How to develop a good attitude towards learning
Parents can develop a good attitude towards learning by being lifelong learners themselves, encouraging questions and linking schoolwork to their child’s interests. Set up a learning space with fixed daily learning times, create a vision board together, let children take turns teaching, treat mistakes as learning opportunities and allow children to learn in their own way.
How to split up your study time
To split up study time effectively, plot every test, task and assignment on a monthly schedule, prioritise each week by due dates and workload, and divide studying into timed work blocks. Use a clutter-free study space, keep the phone out of reach, reward completed blocks with short breaks, sleep 8 hours a night and avoid last-minute cramming.
The power of showing interest in your child’s education
Showing interest in a child’s education builds a positive attitude towards school and healthy self-esteem. Ask specific questions about their day, help with homework, avoid criticising teachers in front of them and talk about school safety, including bullying. Stay involved without overdoing it, by respecting older children’s independence and not doing their schoolwork for them.
How to understand and answer every type of exam question
Learners answer exam questions better when they understand what each question type is asking. Exam questions fall into five types: literal recall, using words like name or list; reorganisation, such as compare or summarise; inference, such as explain why; evaluation, such as discuss; and appreciation, such as critically evaluate, which needs a judgement backed by evidence.
Managing unrealistic expectations
Parents can manage unrealistic expectations by talking with their child about their dreams, favourite subjects and strengths, and treating expectations as flexible guidelines that evolve as the child grows. Motivate rather than criticise after poor results, explain mistakes calmly instead of reacting in anger, avoid comparisons with siblings and offer support in difficult subjects.