How to get from good to great – Spotlight News – The home of The Spot 518

Mall parents, even if they have excellent children, wonder if there is more room for their child’s academic development. The start of the school year is a perfect time to assess where your child is and set the stage for an exceptional year. With a few changes in your child’s work habits and attitude towards school, they have the potential to be exceptional achievers.

Here are just a few ways you can help your child grow into anything you know they can be.

include activities
outside of school

Children need more than just homework in their lives. Let them pursue their passions outside of the classroom. This gives them a mental and physical release and an opportunity to reset. This, in turn, allows them to study better when it’s time to focus in school. Some extracurricular activities, such as music and sports, have proven educational benefits.

But even something like video games has an advantage. It doesn’t have to be an activity where you see clear educational value. You may learn in ways you cannot see. It’s also good for their emotional well-being to have time to do what they love.

support personally
preferences

Not all children can learn in the same way. Small changes in study habits to accommodate your child will make a big difference.

For example, some children may want to sit at a desk in complete silence, while others choose to be in the kitchen while you prepare dinner to have background noise. You will find that some children need a break after school; others can start with their homework straight away. The learning format can also be different for each child. One child may choose to read to retain information where another may need to see pictures or hear the information. Support your child in making decisions about where and how to learn.

Set clear expectations
for your child

If your child is a straight B student and you’ve praised them for it, you may not see them challenging themselves to get an ace. If you’re a parent who likes to see your child put in a little effort, keep praising them but let them know there’s room for growth. Set clear expectations so they know what to expect, but make sure to stay supportive and positive.

Focus on their skills, not their grades. We want them to know that it’s about what they can achieve, not just a better grade. You can lose motivation when it comes to grades.

Encourage a little
the willingness to take risks

Letting a child step out of their comfort zone encourages intellectual curiosity. It is this curiosity that can make a child a truly exceptional student. They look at the information presented to them from every angle and really process the information instead of just memorizing it.

Encourage them to ask questions in class and to ask for assignments that may seem difficult but pique their interest. This will carry over to all areas of learning. You will see that written pieces sparkle with personality and not just text that encapsulates the information learned.

Problem solving requires unconventional thinking. They may also be more involved in class because they are less afraid of making a mistake.

Above all, let your child be themselves and lead the way. Be engaging and supportive throughout the process, but remember it is their process. You will be surprised at the areas in which your child can grow. It may appear that they take responsibility for projects, complete chores on time, attend classes, look forward to going to school, or come home and share the information they have learned.

Here’s to an exciting year full of growth!

Vanessa Banks is co-founder of Kernel Creative Media and marketing strategist for Sylvan Learning of Clifton Park and Albany. Visit SylvanLearning.com for more information.