Knowledge is POWER

Much to the dismay of students everywhere, summer is winding down, and back-to-school is right around the corner. Time to dust off the cobwebs that have formed on your children’s pencils, notebooks (and, for that matter, brains) and get back to the business of learning. Transitioning back to school can be difficult for some students after summer break. In fact, researchers from Johns Hopkins University estimate that children lose an average 2.6 months’ worth of knowledge during the typical 12-week summer break. Dr. Ene-Kaja Chippendale of Columbia’s Focus on Learning Center provides some useful tips to help your children develop (or redevelop) good study habits.

TIPS FOR STUDENTS:

  • PLAN. Record in a planner or date book when assignments are due and tests are scheduled. Write this information on the date things are due, not the date it was assigned.
  • ORGANIZE. Use a three-ring binder and use color-coded dividers and pocket inserts to organize work by subject.
  • Each class should have its own assignment folder. The left-side pocket should store homework to be completed, and the right should hold completed assignments. Most teachers won’t accept late work, and missed points add up quickly and tank grades.
  • DESIGNATE. Set aside a time every day for homework, and stick to it.
  • Use the rough guide of 10 minutes/grade. For example, a third-grader can expect to study 30 minutes per night. Upper grades and AP classes might require more than 80 minutes per night of study time.
  • BE EFFICIENT. Learn to study efficiently for tests by finding out what will be on the test and developing study charts and flash cards.
  • REST. Take short breaks after 30 to 45 minutes. Some students can work longer, but many might tune out and cease being productive.

TIPS FOR PARENTS:

  • Parental involvement should be kept to a minimum because the goal is to develop independent learners.
  • Parents and children should set aside and prioritize homework time each school evening. During this time, students can work on specific assignments, review work they have completed or read. TV, cell phones and video games should be off during this time.
  • Some students need help understanding the assignment, and parents can clarify what is expected. It is important that parents not get sucked into a nightly battle or into doing the work for students. Every child encounters difficulty from time to time, and parents can answer questions. If a child has ongoing, nightly problems, the parents should talk to the teacher.
  • Students need to learn that homework is their responsibility. Parents should encourage and reinforce good study habits by offering praise. When a student does not have good study habits, it’s wise to determine whether there is an underlying issue (difference in learning style, attention problems, etc.).
  • If a student has good academic skills and just doesn’t feel like doing the work, clear consequences should be followed.

WHEN TO CALL IN THE PROS:

  • If parents believe that a child has difficulty because he/she is struggling with reading, writing, math or attention, they should first speak with the teacher for feedback about classroom behaviors.
  • If a student is showing stress in school, making comments about being “stupid,” studying but performing poorly on tests or having difficulty with focus and concentration, parents should seek professional advice.
  • Differences in learning style, for example, can cause students who are very visual, hands-on learners to have difficulty in a curriculum that is very structured, sequential and language-based. Some modifications can make the difference between success and failure.