5 Tips To Help Parents Improve Their Children’s Academic Performance

By Chioma Iwunze-Ibiam

Parental involvement plays a huge role in improving the child’s academic potential. This involvement goes beyond just supervising homework, it requires proper revision, listening and even probing. It is no secret that parents are important contributors to the formation and maturation of a child’s character, confidence, creativity and discipline. These virtues add to the child’s academic and individual well-being.

As an educator and parent, I know that every parent’s dream is to see their children excel in every aspect of life. Parents can play their roles if they understand the science of learning and child psychology. For now, let’s focus on my top five tips that can help parent’s play their roles in helping to guide their children towards academic excellence.

1. Don’t Just Read To Your Children, Read With Them

The benefits of reading to your children cannot be overemphasized. But instead of just reading to them, read with them. Make them pay attention to the words you’re reading out to them from the page. Not only does this improve their reading skills, it also improves their comprehension skills.

Reading is the key to every child’s success in school, and their first teachers (their parents) have a big role to play. When parent’s read with their children, they impart lifelong skills into them.

Studies show that parents who read and discuss read texts with their children form a bond with their children. Reading together gives parents the opportunity to teach their children about choices and consequences as well as other life’s lessons. If you want your child to be successful, read, read, read with that child.

2. Pay Attention To The Child’s School Work

It is important for parents to know what their children are studying at school. Master every topic in each subject so that you can devote quality time towards helping the child with homework and revision. While going through the child’s assignment and school work, parents can ask about school, the teachers and other aspects of the child’s social life. This can help the parent figure out what kind of assistance the child might need.

Parents who are too busy to handle this task can find a private tutor who will devote the time and attention the child requires to learn at home. A professional tutor will supervise the child’s homework as well as guide the child’s studies.

For instance, if the parents aren’t good at mathematics and can’t find the time to master the subject and teach the child, they can hire a math tutor. Studies have shown that children benefit from individualized instruction especially when they are struggling to understand the subject in question.

3. Provide The Child’s Basic Needs

It is important for the parents to make sure the child is properly cared for.

Growing children need to get adequate sleep and rest for their brains to function to their full potentials. Studies have shown that children who get at least eight hours of night sleep perform better in academics.

Healthy foods are another important need parents should meet. More than anything, parents must ensure that their children eat healthy breakfasts. Science has shown that poorly fed children are more likely to perform poorly in academic work. Children who eat healthy diets are likely to experience higher academic performance, attentiveness and cognitive performance.

The best diet for school children Is high carb, high fiber and protein foods. One example of such a meal is oatmeal.

4. Be Generous With Praise and Encouragement

If you’re one of those parents who are stingy with praise and encouragement, then you need to turn a new leaf. It is a parent’s duty to inspire faith and confidence in the child. Children only perform well in school when they believe in themselves. So believe in your child. Make him feel valuable, talented and loved.

Discover what his strengths and potentials are. These talents may not be in the renowned and conventional school subjects, but you have to take steps to help the child cultivate and develop these gifts. Take note of the child’s weaknesses and do your best to help the child improve. But provide positive reinforcements when the child shows improvements, no matter how small.

Studies have shown that students excel when their teachers believe that they are smart. This is something parents can adopt. Be your child’s cheerleader.

5. Don’t Be Over Protective: Allow Your Kids To Succeed And Fail Without Intervening

Quite naturally, parents want to protect their kids from mistakes, harm and danger. ‘I don’t want them to get hurt,’ some parents might say. While this mantra is born from good intentions, it isn’t always in the child’s interest if there isn’t that opportunity to learn through trial and error.

Resist the temptation to always jump in and take control of homework, assignments and projects. Children learn a great deal from trying and failing. When they eventually get the right solution to the problem, they never forget the lessons learned. Children develop and mature when they learn from mistakes. They learn to be persistent, responsible, dependable and organized,

If you want to be a great parent, do not deny your child the practice he/she needs to learn. Let the child take responsibility for finishing the assignment. There is great satisfaction to be gained from working hard on a project and completing it.