It’s 7pm, and after a long workday and a stressful commute, you’re faced with preparing dinner while your child tackles a stack of homework. Many parents find themselves juggling numerous responsibilities and feeling overwhelmed by their to-do lists. To ease this burden, Rob Stewart, Headmaster of the esteemed Berkshire preparatory school, Horris Hill, offers seven crucial tips to support your child’s learning outside the classroom.
Rob Stewart explains, “Education today is increasingly holistic. It values not just academic achievement but also character and skills development. The relationship between parents, children, and schools is essential for the long-term benefits of education on society.”
Here are Stewart’s seven tips for supporting your child’s education:
- Focus on Quality Over Speed Children often believe that finishing their work quickly is the key to success. However, understanding concepts deeply and connecting them with broader ideas is more valuable. It’s better for them to grasp the material thoroughly, even if they only complete part of their homework or start a task in class.
- Set Realistic Homework Goals Improvement comes with effort, but children should not be overwhelmed from the start. Just as you wouldn’t run a marathon on your first day of training, children should gradually build their capacity for homework. Consistency is important; even small daily tasks, like reading, contribute to progress. At Horris Hill, we structure the school day to support this gradual development.
- Enhance Working Memory Working memory is crucial for retaining information effortlessly. Schools are increasingly using techniques like ‘retrieval practice’ to strengthen memory, helping students commit ideas to long-term memory. Regular review and practice are vital for reinforcing what they learn.
- Encourage Diverse Activities Participation in various activities helps children become adaptable and resourceful. David Epstein’s book, Range, highlights the benefits of exposing children to a variety of experiences. Balance is key, so incorporate a range of physical and mental challenges into your child’s routine.
- Cultivate Grit Angela Duckworth’s research emphasizes that perseverance and hard work lead to success. Children develop resilience by dedicating time to mastering skills, whether it’s sports, music, or academic subjects. Encourage them to focus on two areas to build their grit and apply this dedication across different aspects of their lives.
- Nurture Creativity The late Sir Ken Robinson advocated for the role of creativity in education. While schools are finding ways to foster creativity, parents can also play a part. Encourage your child to explore creative activities, such as writing, drawing, and building, and celebrate their creative efforts.
- Develop Social Skills Social interactions help children grow and adapt to new environments. Building social confidence is important for their overall development. Provide opportunities for your child to interact with diverse groups and navigate different social settings to enhance their social skills.
“Building your child’s skills, interests, and social confidence should be a collective effort between families and schools,” adds Stewart. “While it might not be possible to implement every tip, integrating even a few can significantly benefit your child’s development.
