Getting those little ones to buckle down and study can be a tedious task. Memorizing the material is one obstacle, but actually absorbing and understand it is quite another. Learning useful study habits early on can help children develop study habits for the future – for high school, college and beyond. To avoid study binges and anxiety, employ these six simple study tips.
Eat a full, healthy breakfast the morning of the test
Eating a healthy breakfast before the big exam can lead to higher test scores, according to a 1998 Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine study. While this research expanded to all areas of study, eating a healthy breakfast made a significant impact in math test scores.
Mnemonic devices
Recalling the right answer to that exam question could be just a silly sentence away. Verbal mnemonic devices can be a short poem or saying, such as “Every Good Boy Does Fine” to memorize the musical notes in the treble clef. Add your own personality and twist. This way, your child will be able to recall the proper answer based on their experiences.
Flash cards
Similar to mnemonic devices, flash cards are a way to memorize and recall information quickly. Studying for a Spanish test? Draw a “gato” on that flashcard and quiz your child. Place the topics they struggle with in a pile and repeat until the information is memorized and understood.
Get a good night’s sleep
Contrary to the popular college belief, cramming for a test all night will not necessarily boost your score on the test. A full night’s sleep will help your child understand and recall the information they studied the night before. A sharp, clear mind means sharp test taking skills.
Take frequent breaks
Just because your child stares at their textbook for six hours doesn’t mean they actually understand the text. Taking a 15 minute break every hour or two can refresh the brain so that it’s ready for the next round of studying. Eat a quick snack, drink a glass of water, stretch or get some simple cardio exercise. Getting out of “study mode” briefly can help make the most of those study hours.
Create your own study guide
Even if your child’s teacher didn’t give them a study guide to cover what’s on the test, their notes, textbook and homework might be an indication of what’s on the test to come. Writing down the definitions of the bolded textbook words can help your child clearly see what the definition looks like. Re-copying notes might give them the opportunity to read information they once learned but might have otherwise overlooked while studying.
More homework and studying tips
Kids and homework
How music makes your kid smarter
Kids crafts: ‘I’m studying!’ door hanger
More Stories from Parenting
Leave a Comment