Better Parent Blog
Parenting advice, study tips and everything in between!
9 Reasons Your Child Should Do Word Puzzles EVERY DAY
Word puzzles help children practise spelling rules, grow their vocabulary and improve working memory, processing speed, problem-solving and logical thinking. They also build persistence, support test-taking skills such as verbal reasoning and grammar, and boost self-esteem when a challenge is solved. Word puzzles are portable too, so children can do them anywhere without a device.
Back To School: 5 FREE Things To Do for Success
Five free ways to help children succeed at school are encouraging curiosity through play and reading, building a growth mindset by praising effort rather than ability and adding the word yet to their limitations, reducing screen time in favour of conversation, eating family dinners together and paying attention to homework to see where they need support.
First Parent Teacher Meeting? Here’s What To Do
To prepare for a first parent-teacher meeting, ask your child how they feel about school and list questions about settling in, homework and class participation. During the meeting, arrive on time, ask the important questions first and agree how to stay in touch. Afterwards, discuss the meeting with your child and follow the teacher’s suggestions at home.
Is Your Child Ready for Grade 1? Here are 5 Key Areas to Assess
A child is ready for Grade 1 when they show maturity in five areas: physical and motor skills, emotional and social development, cognitive ability, language development and emotional maturity, such as independence, sharing and handling frustration. Parents can prepare children by reading to them, teaching songs and rhymes, arranging playdates and playing colour, number and letter games.
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3 Helpful Ways to Respond to Your Child’s School Report
To respond well to a child’s school report, talk to the teacher to understand the marks, then discuss the report calmly with your child, including which results they are proudest of. Check whether homework time and extra-mural activities are balanced, keep expectations realistic and remember that the most important thing is that your child is learning and progressing.
11 Steps to Help Your Own Child Stop Bullying Others
If your child is bullying others, stay calm, take it seriously and find out the underlying cause, such as a need for control, low self-esteem or being bullied themselves. Explain the harm bullying causes, teach empathy, use consistent discipline, speak to the teacher, spend time with your child daily, get to know their friends and reinforce positive behaviour.
How to Reward Your Child
To use a reward system effectively, set one or two realistic, specific and age-appropriate goals, involve your child in choosing the rewards and track progress with a star or sticker chart. Pair rewards with sincere praise, keep them fairly immediate for younger children and avoid rewarding everyday responsibilities, so the focus gradually shifts to intrinsic motivation.
3 Ways to Ensure Effective Studying
To ensure effective studying, build a foundation of unconditional love and respect, then get involved in your child’s studying in a supportive way and understand how they learn best. Teach study skills using three phases: Get Ready by gathering materials, Do by making study notes, and Done by quizzing their knowledge. Reading together checks their understanding.