Identifying your child's weak subjects
Each child has a strong subject as well as a weak one. No child performs uniformly in each subject throughout their school life. That said, combating the problem in an innovative manner can lead to immense improvement in your child’s performance in such situations. Scolding children or going to the extent of discouraging them will serve no purpose and only work against them. Identifying the primary cause of their weaknesses and successfully helping them are the crucial steps during the process of improvement.
Some kids develop a liking for mathematics and science more, whereas others prefer humanities. This makes it nearly impossible to study each subject with identical interests and concentration. It can be quite a challenge for parents to improve their children’s results in weak subjects. That said, there are some handy tips when it comes to how to make a child interested in studying.
Understanding the reasons for your child's struggle
Parents become extremely concerned when their kids struggle in school. Many a time, children begin performing optimally; however, with time, there is a fall in their grades, and parents are left trying to figure out what happened and how to cope effectively. Let us see why children struggle academically.
Learning Disabilities
Learning disabilities can have a severe impact on a child’s education. Children possessing learning disabilities are quite intelligent with excellent cognitive skills, but they struggle in some specific areas. Common learning disabilities include visual-spatial perceptions, short-term memory issues, ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), poor organization skills, dyslexia, and auditory processing deficit, to name a few. The best schools in Mumbai detect learning disabilities early via a thorough and comprehensive evaluation that can help your child in adjusting to achieve academic success.
Boredom in School
Most children experience some degree of boredom in their classrooms because there is a lack of engagement. This causes them to become unmotivated and inattentive. Brilliant minds require constant stimulation. Top performers lack motivation or become bored in their classrooms because they are constantly thinking “out of the box.” Boredom can lead to a sense of frustration, terrible behavior, and even depression. Children who possess above-average proficiency and are not challenged or engaged in the classroom are at a high risk of becoming underachievers.
Other reasons for children to struggle include the following:
Social problems
Studies are too challenging or not challenging enough
They are subject to bullying
Presence of behavioral or sensory problems
Problems at home
Lack of practice
Distraction by external stimuli
Lack of motivation
A mismatch in learning styles
Lack of proper sleep or adequate nutrition
School anxiety
Creating a study plan and schedule
So, the questions that arise are “How to deal with a child not interested in studies?” and “How to motivate a kid to study?” This is where the best IB schools in Mumbai (such as Aditya Birla World Academy) come into the picture.
The need of the hour in such a situation is creating a study plan and schedule.
A study plan is an organized schedule that outlines study times as well as learning goals. Similar to work schedules, school students must develop a schedule that successfully sets aside dedicated time every week for studying. Such a schedule must include dates of quizzes, exams, and tests, as well as deadlines for each project and paper.
Providing a conducive learning environment
Needless to say, the surroundings affect every student both consciously and subconsciously. The environment that a student is in can motivate them to focus on specific tasks or cause distractions that will make them lose concentration. Because students spend 6-7 hours daily in their classrooms, it is extremely important for educators to ensure that students are provided with a conducive learning environment. Mentioned below are some of the ways to create a comfortable environment for students.
Developing a classroom that promotes interaction
Making optimum usage of classroom space
Playing with colors
Having an awards section
Having a games corner
Offering additional support and resources
Numerous resources can help students learn better. Some of these include captivating books, apps, websites, as well as software programs.
Some of the most promising resources are mentioned below:
Library software
Online resources
Tutoring services
Aditya Birla World Academy, the best international school in Mumbai, offers cutting-edge resources as well as additional support so that its students develop optimum learning outcomes.
Using technology to enhance learning
Technology offers instant accessibility to info; hence, its active presence in each classroom is extremely vital. Smartphones, tablets, and computers are omnipresent elements of everyday life for both teachers and students. Making use of diverse types of technology (such as creating a virtual classroom) develops learners who are highly engaged with learning objectives. Some of the ways to integrate technology into the classroom include making use of PowerPoint presentations and games, Internet homework assignments, online grading systems, and classroom tablets. These are some of the best ways when it comes to how to motivate kids to study.
Using technology to enhance learning
Technology offers instant accessibility to info; hence, its active presence in each classroom is extremely vital. Smartphones, tablets, and computers are omnipresent elements of everyday life for both teachers and students. Making use of diverse types of technology (such as creating a virtual classroom) develops learners who are highly engaged with learning objectives. Some of the ways to integrate technology into the classroom include making use of PowerPoint presentations and games, Internet homework assignments, online grading systems, and classroom tablets. These are some of the best ways when it comes to how to motivate kids to study.
Encouraging active participation and engagement
A student’s participation in a specific course can be improved by devoting both time and thought to developing the environment as well as planning each session. The way teachers interact with students, both verbally as well as non-verbally, eventually communicates to students their attitude about active participation and engagement. The goal of encouraging active participation and engagement is to develop an environment wherein all students get the opportunity to partake in the course fully and improve learning outcomes.
Making learning fun and enjoyable
Children need fun at school. When teachers and educators make learning extremely exciting, students are highly willing to participate, thus ensuring that the lessons are more memorable. Some of the ways to make learning fun and enjoyable include:
Breaking up lessons
Offering choices
Incorporating games
Having group time
Moving around
Using hands-on activities
Being creative
Planning field trips
Most of these are included in IBDP schools in Mumbai.
Celebrating progress and success
Celebrating the progress and success of a student could be one of the best aspects of being a teacher. It is extremely essential to celebrate student success and offer them positive feedback for a job or task that is well done.
Collaboration with teachers and other professionals
A popular African proverb states that “It takes a village to raise a child.” This so-called “village” includes teachers and staff members, such as learning specialists, paraprofessionals, partner teachers, as well as service providers such as speech and occupational therapists.
Conclusion and ongoing support for your child's academic progress.
It is an excellent idea to arrange a follow-up meeting with your kid’s school. If you are not in contact with any special or educational-needs coordinator or service at the school of your child, you may want to seek an appointment to meet them. It is quite a good idea to be extremely open and honest about your kid’s learning difficulties in school or at home. Children with special educational needs are optimally supported in a team that includes teachers, parents, and several other support professionals communicating together.
