According to Bill Gates, “We all learn best in our own ways. Some people do better studying one subject at a time, while some do better studying three things at once. Some people do best studying in structured, linear way, while others do best jumping around, ''surrounding'' a subject rather than traversing it. Some people prefer to learn by manipulating models, and others by reading.” The same holds true for your children. They each have a different leaning style and it’s up to you to help them discover what works best for them.
All parents want their children to succeed, but they’re not always sure how to help. Even bright youngsters may struggle in school, and many families undergo needless arguments and frustration in their effort to make a difference. These families may be smart, but they’re not “school-smart.” In school-smart families, parents know how to support their children effectively in academic tasks using these three tactics.
- They communicate firm and realistic standards and set up a home climate that contributes to positive achievement.
- They use cooperative strategies to help teachers help their children learn.
- School-smart families realize there are different kinds of intelligence and learning styles, and that children of many different abilities can develop into successful and confident adults. In fact, we now know that attitudes and motivation are often much more important in the long run than brains.
Understanding your child’s learning styles and learning habits has recently proven to be a better predictor of your child’s academic achievement than their IQ or “inherited” smarts. If you have more than one child, you’ve probably already noticed differences in their learning styles. Aspects of children’s learning styles may show in subtle ways, such as the time they prefer to study, the lighting in the room, how much noise is around, or whether they sit at a desk or spread out on the bed. Take time to observe each of your children. Even though it’s believed that learning styles are at least partially inherited, it is very likely that “gifts” or “strengths” will be different for each child. Recognizing these differences can help you find the best way to motivate each one of your children.
Helping your child in school is just one part of being an effective parent. Learn the skills needed to raise happy, successful kids in today's society by taking an Active Parenting Course!