How to Support Your Child at School

For many parents, sending their young child off to school can be a worry, as it’s one area you need to relinquish too much control over and trust that your child and their teachers will form a positive working relationship. As a parent, you have to depend on what your child tells you about their school day and that your teachers will inform you about any learning progression.

School life can be a breeze for some students, and for others, it may be a struggle. No matter the experience your child is having, there are plenty of ways you can support your child around their education with simple steps.

• Have a Good Home Routine

How your young child begins and ends, their day is going to affect their school day, too. A healthy home routine can help your child to be happier and more productive with their education. Beginning the day off right is a great place to start, such as ensuring your child is up early enough, has a healthy breakfast, and also has a packed lunch ready to go.

It may sound like a basic routine for many families, but if your child is rushing in the mornings, prone to getting up late, or not getting enough sleep, this can set them off on the wrong foot for their school day.

• Help Them with Their Homework

Students whose parents prompt them to do homework and help them with it are more likely to succeed with it. While it’s important for young children to find independence and complete work off their own steam, supportive parents who find time to sit down with them in the evenings to go through their work can significantly boost productivity.

If you know you have a busy work schedule or evening routine, speak with your child about a time they may want to sit down with their homework. Or, simply asking them (even if they don’t need help) can have them feeling more supported.

• Think Carefully About Their Ideal Environment

Some students will flourish in a mainstream school in large classes, while others may be overwhelmed and require extra attention. Exploring all options for your child is key, as they may benefit from smaller classes with alternative tutoring, like 11 plus tuition, or they may need a school that focuses on a particular area of study.

Making sure your child is in the right environment will help them to be happier, more confident, and more able to study at their own pace.

• Communicate Regularly

Having a good communication system with your child is a good way to ensure their school needs are met, too. If you have a good conversation routine, they will be more likely to open up to you about any issues at school instead of keeping them to themselves.

Encouraging your child to talk openly about their school experience will allow you to assess the situation and pinpoint any positives and negatives to better support them.