Ways to Help Your Teenager Study
Adrian H. Cline,
Superintendent
Your child is now in middle school. You are ready to take a deep breath and rest on your laurels, right?
Wrong.
This is the time when you must be the most vigilant about your child’s academic performance. Teenagers have many distractions, and it is often difficult for them to concentrate on studies. You can help your teenager by working with him or her in the following areas:
Scheduling. An older student can probably make a schedule
independently, but you will want to check it to be sure it’s workable.
Ambiance.
Make sure there is good lighting in the area where your youngster
studies. It should be a quiet
place. Some people work well with
background music, but loud noise from the stereo or radio is not conducive to
concentration.
Written Goals. Encourage your child to make written study
goals and check them off as they are completed.
Survey Techniques. In content subjects, make sure your child
reads the chapter headings and main ideas, and the summary and study questions,
before tackling the chapter as a whole. Textbooks
for content subjects such as history, social studies, and government contain a
lot of information for your child to absorb.
You can help by showing your child how to make a study guide. Here’s how:
Summarize the chapter. Be sure to include the most important points
from each paragraph.
List and define the vocabulary words.
Create comprehension questions from the
headings, sub-headings, and text-box information.
Good study skills can make the difference between a child who does poorly in school and a child who does well. By staying vigilant and involved, you can help your teenager improve academically and achieve success.
Maintaining a Relationship with Your Child's Teacher
Most parents visit with their child’s teacher less than five times during the school year. Yet, the teacher may share experiences with your child that you would prefer not to miss out on. The more involved you are with your child’s teacher, the more involved you will be with your child. Here are some tips to help you build a relationship with your child’s teacher:
Make notes to the teacher in a notebook you keep
specifically for that purpose. Use the
notes at conferences or whenever the need arises.
Phone or e-mail the teacher on a regular basis
for updates about how your child is doing and tips for helping your child at
home.
Visit the classroom. Ask to observe your child for a few minutes
once or twice a year.
Volunteer in the classroom. Offer to read to other students or to help
with class work.
Eat lunch with your child and his or her
teacher.
Building a firm foundation with your child’s teacher usually strengthens the learning experience for your child. It may also allow you to be a part of important developmental steps your child takes in his or her school life.