9 Ways to Boost Your Child’s Learning

Let’s face it—children today aren’t how we used to be back in the days. They have so many things to do in so little time and choosing what should come first isn’t easy at all. You’re not surprised to find out that school takes a backseat for most kids. 

How do we get them all wound up and ready for school? Check out the secrets parents shared and be on your way to a smooth ride all year round.

1. Insist on sweet shuteye. A good night’s sleep is a must. They need a complete eight to ten hours of sleep, says Deng Buluran, mom of two and early childhood educator and program director at Gartens Learning Center in Malolos, Bulacan. Enforce an early bedtime and try not to let them stay up later than 9 p.m. Kids need a restful shuteye to recharge their energy and brainpower so they can focus more and be geared up for another day of learning fun at school.

2. Round up the routine. Keep a daily and weekly schedule of your child’s classes, including after-school activities like ballet or football, suggests Lala Datiles, mom of two grade-schoolers. You’re not only showing interest in your child’s school life, you’re also helping him prepare for the day ahead. Don’t forget to check his assignment notebook or his bag for notes from the teacher, school letters, and permission slips.

3. Get involved. Sign up as “storyteller for the day” or attend orientations and parents’ nights. Volunteer as parent chaperone during fieldtrips or join the school fundraising event. Whether your child is a preschooler or a junior in high school, you need to let him know his school life is important to you. Try not to skip any important school event.

4. Touch base with other parents. It truly helps to talk to other parents whose children are in the same class or same school as yours, says Camille Mesina, mom to Chloe, 12. This gives you a clearer perspective of what's happening in the classroom or in school, good or bad. Especially when your child starts telling you peculiar anecdotes or unusual practices or people. 

 

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5. Talk to your child about his day. Set aside your work crises and find time to sit back and have a good chat with your child. Let him know you're interested in what he does in school and how his day turned out. But don’t succumb to small talks, says Buluran. Kids can sense whether you’re genuinely interested or not.

6. Get organized. Every child needs his own study space. Look for a good place in your house where you can put a table and a chair for your tyke. It should be away from any possible distractions. Gather some scissors, paper, crayons, and other supplies your child usually needs for schoolwork, and place it in a table organizer to keep these organized. Organize his shoes, accessories, and toys, too. Most importantly, teach him to put things back where he got them.

7. Read together. Shared reading is still the best bonding activity, no matter what age your kids may be. Set a regular time for literature every day. Children love it when parents know the story characters they discuss in class. I always ask my children what good book she heard about lately from peers and classmates. They think that it’s cool that we can talk about books any time.

8. Raise a curious tot. There are countless benefits to asking questions. Knowing how to ask and inquire is an important skill not only for students but also in life in general, says Buluran. Teach your child to tell the teacher, "Please help me with this problem.” Encourage him to stop and ask the teacher or any adult whenever he comes across an idea he can’t understand. Let him know it’s okay to ask.

9. Go out and have a family adventure! Spend weekends doing different things with your family: go on a picnic, visit museums, play badminton, or check out interesting places to encourage exploration, suggests Tet Garillos, mom to 4-year-old Miguel. Talk about your favorite places or part of the day and ask your child what else he wants to do or where else he’d want to go. On rainy days, play board games. It’s a lot of fun, plus it teaches kids to get used to following rules and aiming for a specific goal.

Photography by Jun Pinzon
 
SOURCES:

• Deng Buluran, mom of two and early childhood educator and program director at Gartens Learning Center in Malolos, Bulacan
• Lala Datiles, mom of two grade-schoolers
• Camille Mesina, mom to Chloe, 12
• Tet Garillos, mom to 4-year-old Miguel 

 

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