Tricia Rowland-Walton Shares Eight Strategies to Help Young Children Succeed in the Classroom
Tricia Rowland-Walton knows every parent wants their child to succeed in the classroom and beyond. But it can be hard for young children to stay focused, organized, and motivated in a learning environment. Fortunately, there are strategies that parents can use to help their kids learn how to manage themselves better and maximize their potential.
From setting up a positive learning space at home to encouraging goal-setting habits, these eight strategies will help young children succeed in the classroom. With dedication and consistency from both the parents and the child, you’ll soon see your little one thriving!
1. Get Involved with Your Child’s Education
Getting involved in your child’s education is one of the best ways to ensure they have a positive experience. This means attending parent-teacher conferences, asking questions about curriculum, and engaging with your child’s school or teachers when appropriate. Additionally, if your child is struggling in any area, it is essential to ask questions and find out what support they need so they can get back on track.
2. Foster a Love of Learning
One of the best things you can do for your child is to foster a love of learning from an early age. This could be through reading together, taking trips to the library or museum, or discussing current events and topics that interest you and your child. When children develop an enthusiasm for knowledge, it sets them up for success throughout their educational journey.
3. Instill Good Study Habits
Developing good study habits at an early age sets kids up for academic success. Things like teaching time management, setting goals, and encouraging collaboration with other students will pay off later on as they transition into more complex academic settings such as middle school or high school.
For example, setting a designated place for studying and encouraging your child to take breaks when needed can help them stay focused and increase their attention span. Additionally, participating in activities like tutoring or study groups can also be beneficial for academic achievement.
4. Provide Encouragement
It’s natural for kids to struggle sometimes when learning something new—this doesn’t mean they aren’t capable or competent enough! Encouraging during those times helps them stay motivated and keep trying until they succeed with whatever they are working on.
Rewarding good behavior with positive reinforcement is one of the best ways to encourage your child's academic success. Whether praising them when they do well on a test or giving them incentives when they complete their homework on time, providing positive reinforcement will go a long way toward fostering a love of learning within your student.
5. Model Respectful Behavior
Kids learn by watching their role models, so it’s important to model respectful behavior as much as possible around them—especially when it comes to their teachers or classmates who may be different than them in some way or another (e.g., race/ethnicity, religion, etc.). Teaching kids respect helps them succeed academically and become kinder individuals overall.
One of the benefits of having young learners in the classroom is that they can inspire their peers to stay focused and keep trying. Parents must reinforce this behavior at home by rewarding them for their hard work or recognizing when they are helping others out in the classroom.
6. Focus on Strengths
Every child has strengths and weaknesses in academics; recognizing these strengths early on helps kids develop confidence in themselves, which will also benefit them long-term! Whether it’s math or writing—identifying areas where your child excels will help them focus more energy on those areas, leading to further success.
Another option is to provide enrichment activities in areas where they may be struggling—this could include supplemental materials, tutoring, or even just having conversations about the subject matter.
7. Set Age Appropriate Goals
Setting goals for yourself (and helping your children set achievable goals) helps keep everyone accountable while providing motivation when things get tough! Make sure that whatever goals you set are age appropriate so that kids don't get discouraged by something too difficult; this way, they can reach milestones without feeling overwhelmed.
Additionally, research has shown that when kids set goals, they are more likely to take ownership of their education and become independent learners.
8. Foster Creativity
Creativity plays a significant role in learning; activities like drawing pictures related to stories being read aloud allow children to express themselves while reinforcing concepts discussed in class! Allowing time each day where creativity can be expressed allows kids to explore different perspectives, ultimately leading them toward better understanding content taught at school.
Activities such as hands-on projects or creative writing assignments can stimulate young learners and allow them to unlock their creative potential in the classroom setting. Encourage your child's teacher to incorporate creative activities into their lesson plans now and then, as this can also bring out the best in young learners.
Conclusion:
Parents must provide support and guidance for young learners to succeed academically, which is why Tricia Rowland-Walton's advice is so valuable! By following these eight strategies outlined today, parents can help their children gain self-confidence while also developing lifelong skills needed for success inside (and outside!) the classroom.