Topics

Select topic to display the most recent articles

Helping children develop good learning habits at home

28/03/2011 - Alissa Crawford

As a new school year commences and students get back into the routine of homework and study, now is the time for parents to consider how they can assist their child to develop successful learning habits.

Academic studies show there is a strong link between family involvement in student learning and the overall benefits for students, including increased academic performance.

'When schools, families and community groups work together to support learning, children tend to do better in school, stay in school longer, and like school more.' (Henderson and Mapp, 2002 p.7)

Studies also show that there are specific practices adopted by parents of successful students.

'The researchers discovered that parents of high-achieving students had distinct styles of interacting with their children. They created emotionally supportive home environments and provided reassurance when youngsters encountered failure. They viewed school performance as being accomplished through regular practice and work. They accepted responsibility for assisting their children to acquire learning strategies, as well as a general fund of knowledge.' (Finn 1998 p. 20)

The following areas are just some of the ways parents help their children develop healthy habits and a life-long love of learning.

Creating a learning environment in the home

Director of the University of Queensland’s Parenting and Family Support Centre, Professor Matt Sanders, said that children often learn by enquiring about the world around them and that this is something that can be encouraged by parents.

'It's not just a question of how we respond to specific questions that children ask, it's almost like we're creating an environment where kids know that we're interested in what they're communicating to us,' he said.

Parents Representative Council member in the Parramatta Diocese, Claudia Kassis, who is also a parent of two students at St Monica’s Primary, North Parramatta said she tries to encourage her children to talk about their learning and to ask questions.

'My eldest daughter might come home and talk about a word she didn’t get right in a spelling test,' she said. 'We spend some time to practice spelling the word and come up with three sentences using the word.'

Claudia and her children often plan and analyse their school work as a family. This helps her children understand what tasks involve and encourages her children to be more reflective about their studies.

'Before my child starts putting together a presentation for school we will discuss what they might like to include and then we will talk about what they have done and come up with further suggestions,' she said.

All parents want to further their children’s learning but often feel like they lack information on the best ways to help. Principal of St John’s Primary, Riverstone, Marian Bell, said their school offers a number of initiatives to help engage parents in learning including regular parent forums, a learning tips sections in their newsletter, a Kindergarten transition program and an open classrooms policy.

'All parents need a range of ideas and suggestions for incorporating learning in the home,' she said. 'For example, activities such as reading through a recipe or compiling a shopping list help children make sense of words and sentences; or using measurements in a recipe to gain a better understanding of these mathematical concepts.'

St John’s home reading program encourages parents to read with their child each night, discuss the story and ask questions to assess their child’s understanding of the text. Marian said the program focuses on developing reading and comprehension skills and helps both parent and child establish a daily reading habit.

'Students record in their diaries the books they read each night and for upper primary, the pages read and the amount of time spent on reading,' she said. 'Parents are asked to monitor these diaries so students can reflect on what they have learned.'

'We also encourage parents to read themselves while the children are reading as children need to see that it is a valued activity at home as well as at school,' she said.

Routine and structure

As students progress through the school year, assignments, homework and assessments increase, and it can become more challenging for students to manage their time effectively.

Principal of St Pauls Catholic College, Greystanes, David Bourne, believes with regular practice, students can learn the skills needed to establish and maintain a good routine.

To help students plan their time and prioritise tasks, St Pauls’ students keep a daily diary. The diary is also an important communication tool between parents and the school, and can often form a point of reference for parents to discuss assignments, assessments and homework with their children.

'Diaries help students to be prepared for the learning of the day and the homework of the evening,' said David. 'It is essential that parents show genuine interest in the learning and ask questions like, ‘can you explain to me what homework you have?’.'

David also said that resources such as study plans, to do lists and a calendar of assignment tasks help to organise a student’s time more effectively.

'In consultation with a teacher, plan an appropriate study or homework timetable,' he said. 'Have copies of this clearly visible in your child’s diary, in their bedroom and on the fridge so students and all members of the family know what it is.'

'Students should also work in designated study spaces that are free of distractions such as computers, mobile phones and TVs.'

David said that while allocating sufficient study time is important, so too is ensuring children have a healthy, regular and balanced routine.

'Study time needs to be balanced with family time, spiritual time, sport, social time and work,' he said. 'Don’t let any one of these become too heavy as the other areas will lose out as well.'

Good learning habits can be established by students of at any age with regular practice and ongoing parent support. These habits will help children as they continue through school and into tertiary study or working life.

Tips for encouraging good learning habits

Allocate specific spaces for study, away from distractions such as TVs, computers and phones;

Encourage students to plan their time using timetables and diaries;

Allow children adequate time for sleep and leisure activities;

Clearly communicate your expectations to your child and celebrate success;

Encourage students to be reflective and about their work;

Provide encouragement when your child doesn’t perform well;

Regularly talk to your child about their learning and school;

Model reading as a regularly enjoyed activity; and

Encourage students to use good resources.

* The term ‘parent’ in this article also includes guardians and primary caregivers.

Sources

Finn, Jeremy D. Engaging Parents and the Community in Schools, Educational Leadership, May 1998 v.55 n.8, p. 20-24

Henderson, A. T., &, Mapp, K. L. (2002) A new wave of evidence: The impact of school, family and community connections on student achievement (Research Synthesis). Austin, TX: National Center for Family & Community Connections with Schools

Triple P Parenting: Encouraging good learning habits, ABC Brisbane radio, 19 January 2010