Parenting only becomes harder as your child grows older. They start developing their own character, preferences, and habits. Your role is to help raise them as well-adjusted adults and give them the chance to get the best education possible.
But then, it is often the parents who stop their kids from reaching their academic potential. Some parents would be willing to do pretty much everything just to be in control of every aspect of their kid’s learning. Others, on the other hand, lack parental involvement that demotivates the children in the process.
If your goal is to help your children enjoy the best education, you need to reconsider the following practices:
Not Making Time for Your Kid’s School
Some parents are understandably busy at work, at home, and in other aspects of their life. Many parents don’t have the luxury to be at every parent-teacher conference, family day, and their kid’s special performances. Simply paying for your kid’s tuition and providing all means of monetary help is often not enough to get involved with your kids’ education.
Remember that everyone is just as busy as you. You may have other responsibilities other than your kids. But even other parents are busy bees, but they still make it a point to be involved in their kid’s education.
The best thing you can do is to understand your kids better and get to know how you can better care for their education at school. For one, you can directly ask the kids what they wish you would do to best show you support them at school. They may ask you to be there more during special events and be more involved in volunteer positions at school.
You can always coordinate with their advisers and ask them about the school calendar so you can make arrangements ahead of time. Sometimes, being simply there is more than enough to boost your kid’s confidence. You can also consider talking to your kids’ teachers and check on the kids every once in a while to gain better insight on how they are performing and what you can do to help.
You Don’t Optimize Their Study Area
Not all kids can focus on their projects and homework in a messy environment. Some children prefer studying alone, while others best thrive by studying with their peers or siblings. This makes sense since everyone can have different studying and learning preferences.
It is important that parents provide their kids with the right environment to boost their ability to learn after school. Simply providing them with a chair and desk where they can do their schoolwork is not enough. Their environment matters and it is your role to provide them with what they need.
If they prefer studying alone and are sharing the bedroom with a sibling, then a study area inside their bedroom may not be as useful. They may need another area to study in peace, like a separate study area or even your home office. Respecting their study place and enforcing discipline can greatly help improve their study skills.
The condition of their study space also matters. Your home’s indoor air quality can impact your family’s health and comfort. This is why good air quality is also a priority in schools. Invest in a reliable air purification system for your home and you get to ensure your learner’s health and comfort at all times.
You Fail to Teach Them the Right Skills and Habits
Kids depend on their parents more than they care to admit. Their first teachers and role models are their parents. Everything they see, feel, and observe from you, they can reflect back.
This is why parents should preach everything they try to teach. It is crucial that you teach them the right lessons, skills, and habits to help them excel in everything they do, especially in school. Teach them to always be polite and on time, organization skills, positivity, goal setting, study skills, and responsibility.
If you want them to respect your privacy, personal space, and decisions, do the same for them. Don’t be afraid to step in, encourage them to try harder, and create a healthy study routine. Be sure you also do the same by showing them how to get things done.
You Don’t Give the Kids a Say About Everything
Not allowing your kids to make decisions for themselves, especially in school can make your relationship turn sour. Kids should be able to have a say in decisions that concern them. You can help them choose and make a decision, but not to the point that you are dictating everything.
For instance, ask your kids what activities they are interested in and think of ways to support them. If they are into music, there is no point in forcing them to take up sports just because you used to be an athlete. Allow them to take part in the decision-making process and you can best show your support.
Some parents are lack involvement in their kid’s learning. There are also those who are too involved with their kids’ lives, especially when it comes to the children’s education. Both can have a detrimental effect on the children’s ability to unlock their potential.
