HOW PARENTS CAN HELP THEIR

CHILDREN LEARN

There are many ways parents/guardians can support their children’s learning. Most of them are about routine and support. Talking to them about what they have been learning and helping them to recall it is a simple but effective one! Other strategies include:


Work Area

Attention is one of the major components of memory. In order for information to move from the short-term memory into your long-term memory, you need to actively attend to this information. Help to set up a place to work free of distractions such as television, music, and other diversions (eg phones).


Prevent Cramming

Studying materials over a number of sessions gives the time to adequately process information. Research has continuously shown that students who study regularly remember the material far better than those who do all of their studying in one marathon session.


Make up mnemonics with them

Mnemonic devices are a technique often used by students to aid in recall. A mnemonic is simply a way to remember information. For example, if your child is having difficulty remembering something you might associate a term they need to remember with a common item that they are very familiar with. The best mnemonics are those that utilise positive imagery, humour, or novelty.


Visualising concepts

Students benefit greatly from visualising the information they study. Encourage them to pay attention to the photographs, charts, and other graphics in their books. If they don't have visual cues to help, encourage them to create their own. They can draw charts or figures in the margins of notes or use highlighters or pens in different colors to group related ideas in their written study materials.


Making flashcards of various terms they need to remember can help cement information in their mind and you can help by testing them with them.


Read Out Loud

This is not just something for younger pupils. Research published in 2017 suggests that reading materials out loud significantly improves memory of the material. Educators and psychologists have also discovered that having students actually teach new concepts to others enhances understanding and recall. Ask them to read and explain things to you.


Vary their study routine

Another great way to increase recall is to occasionally change their study routine. If they're accustomed to studying in one specific location, try moving to a different spot during the next study session. If they study in the evening, try spending a few minutes each morning reviewing the information they studied the previous night.


By adding an element of novelty to their study sessions, you can increase the effectiveness of their efforts and significantly improve their long-term recall.


Get Some Sleep

Researchers have long known that sleep is important for memory and learning. Research has shown that taking a nap after you learn something new can actually help you learn faster and remember better.


In fact, one study published in 2014 found that sleeping after learning something new actually leads to physical changes in the brain. Sleep-deprived mice experienced less dendritic growth following a learning task than well-rested mice.


So make sure they are getting enough sleep - perhaps consider screen-free bedrooms.