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Back-to-school home education tips
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Posted by editor Mon Sep 11, 2006 16:36:41 PDT
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0 responses 1 comment As the start of a new school year approaches, educators recommend that parents ensure their home provides an environment where it is easy for children to learn. If you've ever wondered how you could help improve your child's learning habits at home, then these tips will help.

Reassessing the space your child uses for at-home learning is the key to creating a productive studying atmosphere for students of all ages. Whether your child is homeschooled or learns in a traditional classroom, these five easy steps will get you on the track to successfully supporting your child's education needs.


Stacks of workbooks and papers make studying appear as a daunting task. Help your child organize his or her learning materials and store them in a filing cabinet. If you do not own a filing cabinet, store papers in folders, one for each subject. Paste a chart on the inside front cover that shows the amount of time spent studying for each subject. Also include a progress chart with the chapters or homework assignments that have been completed. This will organize your student's educational materials within your home and document his or her learning accomplishments for the school year.


Whether you are leading instruction or your child is studying independently, phones, televisions and outside noises are distractions within the home. Make sure that other members of your family are aware when your child is learning, and try to avoid unnecessary interruptions, such as loud video games or nearby conversations.
Have a designated education room

Designate a room, or even a table, as your student's learning space. Setting aside a specific area of your home where educational sessions and studying take place creates an environment conducive to learning, much like a working classroom atmosphere. You and your child will come to associate that space with productive study habits. Having a designated area also helps with organization you and your child will always know where school materials are located.

Create a routine

Having a set time scheduled each day when learning or homework occurs creates good habits for you and your child. This also is important for other members of your family, so they can avoid creating distractions during study time. Do not allow yourself or your child to occasionally watch a favorite television show or go over to a friend's house during this scheduled time. You must treat it as sacred time to reinforce the importance of the learning process.

Make learning enjoyable

Showing interest in your child's ideas and progress makes learning a positive process. Ask your child what materials or environment they need to effectively learn and study within the home. And learning at home doesn't always have to be restricted to your residence — visiting a local science museum or taking in a play may be related to your child's school work. When possible, these field trips should reinforce the learning goals that should be gained by this experience outside the home.

Organization and planning are essential elements for creating a successful learning environment within your home. From setting a schedule to organizing folders, home learning can and should become a part of your family's routine. These tools are invaluable for helping your child to achieve academically, no matter what school or grade he or she is in.

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Comment From: rrhaas

I thought your readers might also be interested in more tips from teachers on helping yout teen "fall" into good study habits. High school algebra teacher Juan Manuel Gonzales Alfaro (Laredo, TX) and mathematics curriculum and instruction consultant Lynn Rambo have teamed with Sylvan Learning Center and Texas Instruments to provide the following tips specifically to help parents and their teens head back to the classroom this fall: 1. Take the time to meet your student’s teacher(s) at the beginning of the school year. What are their procedures and processes? How will they communicate with you and how often? 2. Be sure your teen has a good place to study. Designate a specific time and place for homework, and help him or her develop a study routine. Having a “learning zone” free from potential distractions helps keep your teen focused on the task at hand. 3. Ask your teen to explain what he or she is supposed to do for to you. Make sure you are aware of all homework assignments and whether they are being completed. Remember the saying, “Practice makes perfect?” It still applies, especially when referring to schoolwork. 4. Encourage organization. Today’s student juggles a multitude of exams, homework deadlines, essays and projects. For some students, having color-coded binders for each subject helps them stay on track throughout the school year. In addition, handheld educational technology, one of the most popular forms of technology used in America’s high schools today, oftentimes includes an organizer application that students can use to keep track of their schedules, assignment due dates, classmate contact information, etc. 5. Explore the Internet for helpful resources. Many educational technology companies offer free tutorials and software on their Web sites. Texas Instruments offers help specifically for math and science, and Sylvan Learning Center provides parents with tip sheets and family activities. (www.tibacktoschool.com, www.educate.com) 6. Anticipate that teachers will encourage the use of technology such as graphing calculators on homework assignments. Research shows that using graphing calculators, such as the TI-84 Plus Silver Edition, can significantly improve a student’s math performance by helping him/her visualize and better understand concepts in math and science.* “Schools and states are testing analytical skills, not computational skills,” Mrs. Rambo comments. “Graphing calculators allow students to perform math at a higher level.” 7. Ask your student’s teacher or school counselor for assistance if your teen is feeling overwhelmed. Educational resources like Sylvan Learning Center offer a variety of tutorial programs to best fit your teen’s needs, whether he or she is catching up, keeping up or getting ahead. 8. Control your stress level. By remaining calm and managing one thing at a time, you and your teen will transition from the lazy days of summer to the structured school year with ease. The bottom line for parents is that you are a critical component of your teen’s education, so be as involved and aware as possible. These guidelines, combined with daily attendance, the usual good night’s rest and hearty breakfast, will equate to a great start to a new school year.