{"id":6604,"date":"2013-05-26T21:40:23","date_gmt":"2013-05-26T19:40:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/responsive.jozikids.co.za\/zaparents\/?p=6604"},"modified":"2022-06-09T18:49:04","modified_gmt":"2022-06-09T16:49:04","slug":"how-to-help-your-child-study-successfully","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.jozikids.co.za\/blog\/education\/exams\/how-to-help-your-child-study-successfully\/","title":{"rendered":"How to help your child study successfully"},"content":{"rendered":"

Studying and writing exams or tests is common to all children these days in South Africa. As parents we want our children to do well but often don\u2019t know where to start. Here are some practical tips to help your child to study more successfully.<\/p>\n

1. Set realistic, achievable goals<\/h2>\n

Guide your child to set goals that he feels he can achieve. If he is currently getting 50% for Maths, a goal of 60% is realistic. Once achieved and maintained steadily it can be adjusted. Goals that are too high breed discouragement and frustration.<\/p>\n

2. Organise a study spot<\/h2>\n

Set up a dedicated study spot together. Equip it with good lighting, a comfortable chair and enough stationery.\u00a0 Avoid studying on the bed or in front of the TV!<\/p>\n

3. Music?<\/h2>\n

Many people learn better with background music. Experiment to see if this benefits your child or not. Loud, strident music is not recommended, but rather melodic music-such as Mozart and the Beatles. Allow your child to have some say in this.<\/p>\n

4. Study timetable<\/h2>\n

Break the material up into \u201c\u201dbite-sized \u201cchunks. Do this together and ensure it is manageable. Don\u2019t overload the child. Monitor their progress regularly and make adjustments as you go along.<\/p>\n

5. Tackle the material!<\/h2>\n

Make the study material more manageable. Reading it through a few times is not going to make it stick.<\/p>\n

i. Ensure that the work is understood. Then help your child to pick out the key points and to define concepts.<\/p>\n

ii. Help him to find more facts about each key point. Turn these into mind maps, flow diagrams, comparison charts, visual diagrams or any suitable format, depending on the nature of the material. Use colour and different fonts…have fun!<\/p>\n

Let him learn from these. They should be simpler and more interactive\u00a0 than the text book or school notes.<\/p>\n

iii. After the work has been studied, ask lots of questions to test if the material has been understood and if the child can now use<\/i> the concepts to explain and elaborate and problem solve.\u00a0Use of old exam papers can be useful at this stage.<\/p>\n

iv. Draw attention to words such as: explain, discuss, why, contrast etc.<\/p>\n

6. Praise and encourage!<\/h2>\n

Keep praising for any positive efforts. Avoid extravagant or monetary rewards but rather think of simple rewards that will please your child and assure him that you are with him in the situation.<\/p>\n

7. Exam anxiety<\/h2>\n

Remind them that they have prepared well. Make them realise that they are loved no matter what the exam result is.<\/p>\n

8. Last words<\/h2>\n

Keep up the encouragement for EFFORT throughout. Find something positive from the experience no matter what the final marks are.<\/p>\n

Remember that learning to study is a difficult process and takes time to develop so use each exam session as a new step in the process.<\/p>\n

Wishing you a successful exam period!<\/p>\n

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