Though exam season came and went amid a saga of ‘yes, no, maybe…’ that would do daytime soaps proud, results were uploaded with little warning, leading to quite a bit of excitement on part of parents and students. More so at this end, since my bright teen shone in all subjects, making us really, really proud. When someone who I like to think of my guide and mentor, asked me one lesson that I would like to share with parents of all school students out there, I wondered why not take it to three! So here are 3 tips, from my personal experience, to help your kid study harder and do better.
Be a Role Model
I cannot emphasize enough the importance of this point. Whatever you wish your kids to do, make it a point to do it yourself first. So pick up a book or go for a run, if you wish your child to read more or be physically active; Solve puzzles, discuss world affairs and research interesting phenomenon yourself if you wish to bring up a child with critical and creative thinking skills. Naturally, you should not use this to pressurize your kid to follow your footsteps when it comes to choosing a college major or career choice. No matter how good you are with numbers, your child might have a richer spatial or musical intelligence and no amount of eulogizing the magic of digits may make him/her choose Accountancy as a major. So, rather than getting caught up with the superficials, focus on modelling good life skills and study habits.
Popularity is not paramount
Every generation struggles with its own challenges. If many parents had to give up youthful passions to earn a stable livelihood, their own kids have more support to follow their inclinations. And yet while we were spared of social media pressures, today’s kids are staring at unrealistic demands to be cool, special and perennially popular. As parents you have to set limits to not just social media use but more importantly determine priorities – is a party on a school night more important than an upcoming test? Will hanging out with the stylish set at the mall help your child to realize life goals better than going to his/her music/astronomy/soccer club?
Marks only indicate potential
Between the extreme camps of those who believe numbers are not important at all and those who head to school to fight with teachers for half a mark more, I feel comfortable mid-way. Marks scored in tests are important in so far as they indicate potential and possibilities. If my daughter scores more than 90% in every test, I am not going to discount the hard work that has gone into it. Likewise, if a child scores 50% in a subject, it is time for parents and teachers to find out how he/she can be helped – in that very subject as much as in others. At the same time, I realize very clearly that a high score is not an end in itself. It opens up doors and boosts confidence for sure – but eventually it is upto the individual to work hard, persevere and realize those possibilities.
Crumbs on my Notebook 