How can children learn? Step by step. Skill by skill. Certain academic skills will be more effective than others. This is what makes each student different. This can prevent some students from learning the things they need.

Parents must intervene as soon as possible. “Study skills are critical to succeeding academically,”Lynn Fontana is Ph.D., chief academic officer at Sylvan Learning. “Students who do not have good study habits may waste time engaged in unproductive tasks, they may be overwhelmed by school assignments, and they may become frustrated and fail to complete assignments. This can lead to poor grades.”

It’s never too late for students to learn good study skills. A few simple tips can help parents assist students in overcoming obstacles, regardless of their age.

– Form a Partnership. Keep communication open in both directions. You can work together with your child to determine the steps necessary to help her improve her grades and promote knowledge retention. The student should take responsibility for learning and personal success.

Understanding your child’s learning style. People learn in different ways. There are many learning styles available to students. They can be visual (learn from seeing), auditory, kinesthetic (learn through doing), or a mixture of both. To create a learning environment that is beneficial for their children, parents should speak with them. The child is responsible for developing study habits that match his learning style. Children will perform better if they are taught to follow their learning style.

– Understand the purpose. Parents can encourage their child’s strategic approach to the content by encouraging them to break it down into smaller pieces. Discuss why the student is reading this chapter. Ask the student questions that she believes she should be able answers after finishing the assignment.

Celebrate Success. Establish weekly milestones. If your child is preparing for exams or large projects, you can get a large calendar to place on their desk. Help them set timelines so that they don’t forget about studying and projects. Celebrate each milestone with your child.

Visit this site to find educational resources for children from pre-K through 12 grades. www.SylvanLearning.comCall 1-800-31-SUCCESS