Student Improvement: How to Help Your Child Do Better in School

Helping Your Child Improve in School

Set High Expectations

Students will either rise to meet high expectations or sink to meet low expectations. As a result, you can help your child improve by setting high expectations. For instance, one goal could be for your child to complete every homework assignment, or earn at least a 'B' on the next essay. When students are given high expectations, they tend to give a better effort in order to achieve them, especially when those expectations are given by someone important in their lives.

Stay on Top of Homework

Homework helps students practice and apply the material and skills they are learning in class. Homework also helps students prepare for future exams. Check your child's homework each night to make sure it is completed. You may also want to look over the work for mistakes.

However, keep in mind that mistakes are an important part of the learning process. Don't simply provide the right answer. Instead, teach your child why the answer is incorrect and show him or her how to do it correctly.

Establish Study Time

A vast amount of educational material is taught in the classroom, but students often aren't taught to study the information at home. However, the more students study at home, the better they tend to do on their classes. Establish a daily and weekly schedule for your child to study.

Acknowledge Achievements

Many students will continue to give their best effort when their hard work is recognized and appreciated. Most of the time, you don't need to give anything tangible. Letting your child know that you are proud of him or her verbally will usually suffice.

Ask Questions

Asking your child questions about school on a daily basis will also help him or her do better. For instance, you might ask your child to explain a topic that he or she learned that day in class. In addition, consider asking your child how he or she is getting along in school in general. Sometimes, students struggle in school because of social problems, such as bullying. Asking questions will help you identify the cause of your child's problems.