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4 Ways Parents Can Reinforce A Strong Academic Foundation At Home
December 6, 2019
Building a Strong Academic Foundation at Home
At Gaborone International School, we understand the importance of a sound academic foundation. Through our values
of generosity, integrity and self-discipline, we strive to deliver a curriculum and educational offering centred around academic excellence that will enable your child to be prepared for a promising future. Although our classes, educators and curriculum forms a big part to a strong foundation, parents can also play a part in the home environment.
When it comes to building an excellent academic foundation, caregivers and parents can enhance what is learned at school by contributing in a few simple steps. Here are a few tips on how you can help your child develop a good foundation for academics.
1. Get involved
It’s a known fact that children perform better at school when their parents are actively involved in their education. From supervising homework to attending parent-teacher meetings, it’s important that your child knows you take an interest. By staying informed, you’ll notice any changes in your child’s behaviour or performance. You will also be able to discuss any concerns with their teachers and together determine the necessary interventions or way forward.
Strategies to assist learners with learning can also be formulated during these discussions with educators and often, parents aren’t aware of a particular setback until it’s too late. Such approaches are especially useful for children who struggle with certain subjects or have social challenges.
2. Help them prepare for homework and projects
A knowledge of your child’s schedule of upcoming tasks and exams will help you motivate them to meet deadlines. This will also help you instil a sense of time management and responsibility within them that will help them in later life. Your child will also know that you’re supervising their homework so there’s no chance of them not completing it. They will be able to ask you questions and even discuss subjects they do or don’t face difficulty with. This is often the first step to finding out which topics they need a little more help with.
3. Teach them how to get organised
Alongside a good work ethic and a positive attitude, being organised is one of the most valuable life skills for any child. It will also mean less running around for parents to drop off lunch bags or sports kits. When your child is organised, they are more calm and focussed on the task at hand instead of stressed out about the items they can’t find or forgot at home. Set up a roster that highlights what is to be packed and when.
You can also assist your child in creating a schedule for managing projects and exams. This will teach them that staying organised is up to them, and that it has a big impact on how well they do at school.
4. Talk about what happens at school
Talking is the first step to identifying problem areas that need to be addressed. By opening a clear line of communication, your child is more likely to tell you when something serious happens at school. When your child knows that what happens each day is important to you, they will start to share more and more. If they believe that you take an interest in their academic performance, they’ll start to see it more seriously too.
To learn more tips from our teachers and educational experts, click here
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To learn more about Gaborone International School (GIS), click here
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Feel free to enquire about our school by clicking here
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Going back to school can evoke feelings of joy for some but not others. One child may be filled with feelings of excitement as they anticipate having to see their friends once again at school, whilst another child may be overwhelmed with feelings of anxiety at the thought of starting school. Although it can be quite normal to experience some degree of uneasiness at the idea of returning to school, changing school or commencing kindergarten some children find it hard to overcome these feelings of anxiety. One may wonder why children sometimes experience back to school anxiety. Let us explore a few possible factors: a) Going back to early mornings, homework and extracurricular activities can be quite overwhelming for some. b) Worries about fitting in and/or making friends c) Conflict with peers or fellow students, d) Insecurities about their physical appearance e) Unpleasant interactions with school personnel, e.g. teacher, coach etc. f) Bad memories of their past experiences in school may make one think that the current year will be the same g) Much younger learners may feel uneasy about being away from their parents and caretakers. This is very common amongst kindergarten and lower primary school pupils h) Fear of academic failure and/or not meeting the expectations of their parents or teachers can be quite anxiety provoking. With that said, it is important that learners are provided with the necessary support to ensure adequate adaptation to a school environment. Tips to help ease back to school anxiety a) Parents are encouraged to check their own temperatures first. The idea of having to reinstate routines, assist with homework, manage after school activities just to mention a few can be daunting for parents. Since children take cues from their parents, it can be quite easy for the parent to transfer their own anxious feelings on the child. Remain calm and model calm behavior for your child. b) Prepare early. Get bedtimes and wake up times back to normal a week or two before school starts. c) Create a routine for getting up, getting dressed, having breakfast and leaving for school. Establish a consistent daily schedule ahead of time. d) Take heed to the child’s concerns. Concerns may range from complaints about homework or a fight with a friend. Try not to be dismissive and listen attentively. Acknowledge the child’s feelings and where possible give comfort, assurance and assistance on how to sufficiently address the difficulties raised. e) Take a trip to the school before school opens. This is especially helpful if it’s a new school. You and the child may take a tour of the school premises to help the child familiarize themselves with the environment ahead of time. For kindergarten pupils you may also practice with them ‘sitting in class’ and ‘getting out of the car at the drop off point.’ The school trip may be conducted repeatedly as exposure and repetition may ease their anxiety. f) Allow for the use of small comfort items, e.g. a photo or favorite toy can help sooth a child in distress. g) Plan a hand-off on the first morning if you anticipate that your child will probably refuse or be hesitant to separate from you, then. A friend or school personnel could get ready to meet your child and distract them by giving them something to do immediately. If the hand-off is successful, be sure to offer positive reinforcement later. You may say, “you did exceptionally well by heading straight to class this morning.” h) Practice relaxation techniques to help your child manage anxious feelings. Teach them deep breathing exercises, mindfulness etc. i) Set realistic expectations. Let your child know that what matters is for them to exert effort in all they do. Avoid emphasizing outcomes. j) Stay positive. Talk with your children about the things that make school fun. For example, making new friends and attending extracurricular activities. Feel free to share some of your own pleasant experiences of the time you were in school Although children are different, ideally a child should be able to adjust to a school environment after some time. However, if considerable amount of time has elapsed and the child still presents with debilitating anxiety, sad mood, refusal to attend school, frequent physical symptoms such as stomach aches, headaches etc., link the child to care. Start with teachers and the School Psychologist so as to offer the child the necessary support. Early intervention can have a significant impact in your child’s wellbeing and overall school success!
Mindfulness is a great tool to help heal your mind and body. Read more about how to practice mindfulness here.
STEM education is the integration of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. Learn more here.
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