Just take international schools, for instance. Kids who have studied in private primary schools in Singapore and institutions offering an International Baccalaureate already have an edge in terms of getting into their dream university. The work involved, however, is more than what one person is capable of doing. Countless reports and projects, not to mention preparing for national and international standardized tests. Expecting kids to accomplish all of these and demand that they pass with flying colors is careless at this point.
So what is the best solution? Well, make studying fun for them, of course! Not only will this help them cope with the stress that comes with schoolwork, but this will make them love learning again.
Teach them how to prioritize
An underlying agenda of telling them they can prioritize which schoolwork to do first is showing them that they have a choice in what they want to do. Some kids may want to get the hard subjects out of the way first before finishing the easier ones, or vice versa. This gives them a semblance of control. And if your kid already has a lot on their mind, then control over their work is good to have.
Prepare a comfortable space
The environment where they study can contribute so much in their mood. Make sure there is a space in the house where they can study in whatever way is productive for them. There are kids who prefer the solitude of their bedroom. In this case, make sure they have a table inside their room and try very hard not to disturb them unless you really need to speak with them. There are also kids who prefer noisy places because it helps them concentrate. You can set up a space in front of a television or give them speakers in the room so they can play their favorite music.
This also means making the tools they would need to learn comfortably available. For example, if your little one experiences hearing issues, ensure their hearing aids function as they should. This is especially crucial for developing their speech and language skills. The background noise in most homes can influence the kind of simulation and how much they are exposed to and make it hard for your child to learn.
Serve up snacks
You can never go wrong with food when it comes to uplifting the spirits of your kids. There are tons of food which can help with memory and focus that your kids will love to snack on. You can prepare peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, or maybe they prefer ham and cheese sandwiches. You can also put a bowl of trail mix, complete with nuts and dried fruit which they can munch on every now and then.
Turn studying into a game
Kids remember complex game rules easier than their lessons, so why not turn their lessons into a game they can enjoy. You can use flash cards or invent a whole new game with. The best part is they can invite their friends to play it with them, sort of like study group but more fun and louder.
Teach how to make a reviewer
Colors are known to influence memory, so when you are teaching them how to make a reviewer, bring in all the color pens and highlighters that you have. Color code each section of the reviewer so that they can easily recall where they have encountered certain terms and be able to remember what it means.
By doing these things you are removing the tediousness of schoolwork and making kids fall in love with studying again. So go on and follow these tips or even reinvent them and help your kids have fun while learning.
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2 Responses
These are the best tips to making study time fun for kids. Thanks for sharing!
You are very welcome!