SIX WAYS TO HELP YOUR CHILD BE READY TO LEARN

SIX WAYS TO HELP YOUR CHILD BE READY TO LEARN

Whether your child is starting a new school or moving onto to a new class and a new teacher, they are facing new experiences, new opportunities and new challenges.  The following tips are some of the things that you can do to encourage and nurture their learning and help them have a happy and successful year.

    1.   Have a routine and stick to it.  Family diaries or timetables on notice boards can help you and your child remember when to take in PE kits, instruments, etc.  Older students could use their phones to make notes on assignments and use alerts to remind them to hand in homework.  Have a specific time for reading and homework and an area in which your child can complete their home learning activities.  Have paper, pencils and crayons easily accessible so that your child can focus on completing the activity.  Having a routine can make the day less stressful for all.

2.    Get a good night's sleep.  Research recommends that school children have 10 hours sleep. Tired students find it more difficult to focus in class and this has an impact on their learning.

3.    Eat a good breakfast and provide your child with a healthy snack and lunch.  Your child will be more alert and focused at school if they are not hungry and don’t have too much sugar in their system.

4.    Be on time for school.  Arriving late, can be stressful for your child, it disrupts the class and may mean that your child has missed key information and work; this will have a negative impact on their learning.

5.    Provide your child with opportunities to experience new things and to ask questions; take an interest in their school projects, e.g. visiting library and museums together.  There are a range of extra curricular activities and local clubs that your child can participate in.

6.    Fresh air and exercise are important to your child's learning.  Give your child time to play, to be creative and to be curious.

"Play is the answer to how anything new comes about." (Jean Piaget)