Study Smarter, Not Harder: Help Develop Good Study Habits for your Gradeschoolers

Reporting, recitation, memorization, projects, homework—plus a dash of other extra-curricular activities and screen time: kids nowadays truly seem to have more than they can chew. At the end of a long school day, they’re too tired, too distracted, too demotivated to do another leg of review or solve another Math problem. But then again they’re expected to excel, or say at least get a passing grade, to move on to the next grade level. 

READ ALSO: Help Your Toddler Develop Good Study Habits

In a 2009 study, it was mentioned that there is a societal notion that “academic achievement is considered as a key criterion to judge one's total potentialities and capacities.” So how do we help our kids perform better in school when their plate is already full?

In the same study mentioned above, it has been revealed that study habits such as “reading and note-taking, habits of concentration and preparation for examination had significant correlation with academic achievement.” This, of course, is just one of the factors as there are many other factors that impact academic performance but because kids in gradeschool are often too young to be particularly concerned about developing good study habits, we’ll focus on that bit. As parents, we can help them set up a good routine to help lighten and organize their study time. 

The ABC’s of good study habits for your gradeschoolers

A is for Attitude

Teach them to keep a positive outlook when it comes to studying. Typically, the harder the things to do, the bigger the motivation we need. And if our kids' mindset is that adding another hour for study time is more of a struggle than a benefit, then it would be more difficult for them to find the motivation to push forward. 

B is for Buddy System

There are kids who enjoy studying alone for focus and concentration. However, it also helps to evaluate one's learnings by having a partner validate what they've learned by taking turns through question and answer. Buddy system also helps in establishing a social connection and somehow making the pressure feel light because the academic responsibility is being shared. 

Older siblings who have already gone through specific subjects and experiences can also add value and aid to their younger siblings by providing examples and helping them understand their homework better. 

C is for Canceling the Noise

It is common in the Filipino setting to have shared spaces and tight-knit neighborhood where you can hear the dogs bark or even the street noise which makes it hard to concentrate when studying. You can help your kids by designating a space for studying where they will remain undisturbed as much as possible—provide them headphones to cancel out the background noise or let them listen to music (without lyrics, not fast, not loud) to put them in a better mood. 

D is for Designing a SMART Goal

According to Psychology Today, in order to be resilient, one must have a clear and achievable goal, also known as a SMART goal.

• Specific. For example, the goal is to allot an hour everyday after school at 6 PM to review that day's lessons.
• Measurable. For example, the goal is to reach a certain increase in percentage in terms of grade average by the end of the school year. 
• Attainable. The kids are already laden with too much pressure. As parents, it is easy to have high expectations of our kids because we want the best for them. We therefore choose goals that are within reach for our children.
• Realistic. Goals should also be realistic in terms of commitment, time, and resources available. We can't expect our kids to be number one overnight, as it requires other skills to reach that top spot. What is important is that they are getting better each day. 
• Time Specific. Set a time frame to reach each goal. For example, after the first quarter, my child's speech should show improvement or after the school year, my child was able to read at least 10 new books.

There are basic and advanced life skills that kids can learn at an early age from these so-called habits which will help them later on as adults, like time management, self-regulation, organization, goal setting, resilience, and discipline.

 

E is Eliminating Distractions

In a digital age, your kids are most likely spending too much time on social media or playing mobile games. Aside from background noise, it is also important to tell them how much of a distraction their phones could be while they are studying.

F is about Finding Your Space

Help your kids find a suitable space for studying. Clutter is another form of distraction so teach them to organze and tidy up so it's easier to look for the things they need (pencil, calculator, markers, etc) instead of rummaging through a disorganized pile of school supplies. Make sure the space is conducive for learning like a well-lighted nook with a desk and a chair (it doesn't have to be expensive) because lounging on the sofa or lying in bed will most likely yield unfavorable results.

G is for Gathering Notes 

Note-taking enhances memory. Use of Flash Cards and drafting own reviewers help kids retain key learnings so teach them how to make notes using keywords and phrases. They can highlight the keywords with colors to create a visual memory of their notes.

H is to Highlight Time Management

Time management is very signifcant in forming habits. It becomes a habit due to repetition and your kids need to allot time for these habits to become part of their daily schedule. Consistency is key. 

READ ALSO: 7 Homework Habits to Set Your Child Up for Academic Success

Thank these habits later

These are all guidelines that you can think through and decide what suits your child best. But while it is true that good study habits is one of the key factors for a positive academic performance, let us not forget that the goal is not perfection; it is just a bonus. The recognition our kids can get from the fruits of their labor in forms of medals and certificates will always be an absolute delight and as parents, we couldn't be any prouder.

Let's keep in mind though that there are benefits to developing good study habits which can outweigh the tangible representation of their academic achievement. There are basic and advanced life skills that kids can learn at an early age from these so-called habits which will help them later on as adults, like time management, self-regulation, organization, goal setting, resilience, and discipline.

 

Sources: Influence of study habits, self-concept on academic achievement of boys and girls, Top 10 Study Tips to Study Like a Harvard Student, 11 Good Study Habits to Develop