How to instill good study habits in kids?

[binny]

This has been a topic of discussion around lately so I thought I would ask all you expert parents here


How do you teach kids how to study? I was never a great student, and neither was dh. I did fine but I never studied.
I was never "made" to do homework, it was never a priority in my house I guess. I want more for my kids, I want them to be able to study and do the work and learn.

I know this sounds ridiculuos, but I really would like to know how to teach my kids good study habits to break this cycle.

Thanks
Binny

 

[cati]

I too would like to hear from other parents, teachers, grandparents and anyone else that could give some advice. Thanks for the post binny!!

 

[KarenC]

I am struggling with teaching my DS good study habits. The advice that follows doesn't work for him but maybe it will help you.

The head of guidance at our school suggested what he considers to be an appropriate amount of study time (in high school he says 2 1/2 hours, obviously less for younger kids). Have a special spot, free of distractions, where they spend their study time. Every day, Sunday through Thursday, they spend that allotted time in their study spot. Use this time to complete assignments that are do. If assignments are finished, use time to read or review.

 

[mrsmom]

I have four kids ,17 yr old about to graduate this yr and 11yr old in 5th grade and almost 10yr old in 4th and 6 yr old in 1st , i am proud to say all straight A students. I taught them as soon as they get home from school they do their homework and study before tv , video games ect. I work with them eveyday. if they have something going on after school we do this in the evening,i make sure i know what their homework is, Our schools help because the kids have a planner which tells me what they need to do and i have to sign it every day. I would say set a routine eveyday for them , then it gets easier.
Kim

 

[damo]

I think that the most important thing is for you to show that what he is doing in school is very important to you. You need to take an interested in what he is reading and writing and try to apply these things to your everyday life.

When my kids were younger I would always help them to study by asking them questions about their material. I would have their notes and pick out the most important topics.

As they got older, they would make their own study notes by taking out the most important topics and re-writing them on a different page. Then they could quiz themselves from their notes.

It is important that studying does not start the night before the test. Allow several days for the process of creating and absorbing the study notes.

This can be used for math as well, with typical test questions being written down for the study notes. The student can gather these as they are doing their daily homework by writing a TTQ in the margin. Then rewrite and redo the questions a few days before the test.

 

[kasar]

Just the fact that you're even asking the question proves that you're doing something right! You're concerned, you're interested in their future - kids see that. Most kids want to please their parents and if this is important to you, it'll be important to them too.

I always check in with them when they get home about how much homework they have and if they have any tests coming up. I go through the backpacks and check the work that came home from school. We discuss any problems and I'm always sure to say "great job, that's what we expect from you" for the A's. There are no confusing messages in our house - their job is school and we expect their full effort (doesn't always have to be A's, but they do have to try their hardest).

We have very minimal TV/Computer time during the week because they have after school activities and homework but we're flexible if it's something special. Also, if you have the time get involved in their school - know the teachers, other students and daily schedule - so that you are "in the loop". It's time well spent.

We do the best we can and just hope it all turns out ok. This parenting stuff is tough.

 

[CEDmom]

I wasn't the greatest student and didn't have great study habits on my own. What my mom did (she's a retired teacher) was to have me study at the kitchen table will she did school work as well. It was actually nice knowing someone else was doing work while I was and really helped me. Any parent, not just a teacher, can do this by setting aside some time each day that you'll pay bills, balance the checkbook, write letters etc while your kids do their homework. By setting the example that everyone has tasks to do it should help their study habits. Good luck.

 

[CajunDixie]

I tried having them do schoolwork as soon as they got home but now I dont push. Daylight hours are short now and I'd rather they go outside and get some fresh air and exercise. Both of my DS's do their homework in the mornings before the buses come. If they have a huge amount of homework then I'll have them do the easy stuff after dinner and save the more difficult assignments for in the morning. Part of the encouragement for doing homework needs to come from the teacher too. Last year younger DS barely made his reading requirements but this year having an enthusiast teacher has made him look forward to pleasing him. In the first trimester he's already read more books than he read in all of last year.

 

[Serena]

My kids are strange. They may not want to do the work, but when they do it, they want it right. I could always concentrate better with background noise, so I let the girls have it too. They seem to be the same way. Noise and commotion seems not to be a problem. They may take longer to do it, but it is usually right. Not always, but most of the time. We work on what isn't right and if they have a problem on something we work on it together until they figure it out. Sometimes for Kelsea, me sitting beside her doing anything at all, helps her to concentrate.

Some kids need structure and definite rules, other kids need freedom, but most kids are in between.

 

[Kimickey]

Here the routine in our house. My DH goes and picks DD(5) up from school. Once she steps foot in the house, she's to hang up her uniform, put her white shirt and navy blue stockings in the dirty laundry. Put on her play clothes and get a snack. All the while she cannot watch television, or play with any of her toys until her homework is done. We make homework a routine and priority. Now that she has her routine down packed, we have no problems at all with her studying. This may sound like a bit much for a five year old in Kindergarten but, if you instill the study habits in them early, they will know what the deal is as they go through their schooling. My mother & DH's mother did this for us and even as an adults, we do the same thing.

 

[Cindy B]

The fact that you are asking is a great step.

My poor kids are in for it... not only am I studying to be a teacher, but I am and was a good student (for me a B grade meant Better BE an A next time!) Ironically, my DH and my father were not very good students.

Study habits need to be learned, because before you know it, you see students in middle school, high school and even college not knowing what to do when exam time rolls around.

I have my kids do homework the MINUTE THEY COME HOME! They have a routine, eat snack, and do homework at the same time. That way, its not hanging over their heads, and they can do other things. Fortunately my kids school district gives out homework planners within the schools... its an organizer that shows the kids and parents what homework is required in every subjects... these planners start in the second grade and continue on either through high school. The middle school where I work has planners as well.

I look at the planner every night, and I sign it indicating that I am aware. I also keep a track of long term projects, and short term projects. The long term projects for example is assigned throughout the year, and I get him started about two weeks prior to it. For example Jan 28th he has a literature project due, he will start the first rough draft this weekend. Usually my son has to write at least three drafts, and we also do writing webs and brainstorming for his papers. We then keep all the work in a folder in his desk.

As he is reading things, I ask him the main ideas. For example he is reading Artemis Fowl now, I ask him comprehension and main idea questions as he is reading it. From those I can tell what he can or can't understand.

 

[mudnuri]

DD's have an afternoon routine- empty back pack on kitchen counter, replace what needs to go back, and grab a snack. They finish their snack, and then both sit down at the kitchen table. Each of them has reading/respond homework each night. This entails 20 minutes of reading and then writing 3-4 sentances. DD7 is now working on the main idea, and hers go with that. DD6 just writes about what she reads. They read for their 20 minutes, and then write. After writing, DD7 goes onto math homework, and DD6 colors or does some extra handwriting while DD7 is finishing up.

They are not allowed TV/Toys until all homework is completed, signed and put back in the folder. I really like the way our schools handle homework. DD7 has a reading block folder, and a math folder. They come home every day even if they are empty. DD6 has reading block and a homeroom folder. Again, they come home each day. All forms/papers that I need to see are located in these folders.

I was always a good student, though studying wasn't a priority for me. I'm hoping to be able to get DD's to actually enjoy homework/studying...not look forward to it, but at least have a sense of accomplishment when it's completed on time, and in a neat fashion.

They do homework Monday thru Friday. No Sunday's here. We ski all day- theres no way they could concentrate on homework after 8 hours at the mountain. I can barely keep them awake for supper!

On another note, neither of my DD's seem to be auditory learners, I dont think back ground noise bothers them. I often find them reading in their room with the radio on. I am also not auditory either...much more visual.

Brandy

 

[beachbunny]

My parents raised three kids who now have a JD, an MD and a PhD. Their big rule was no tv or computer games Sunday through Thursday. If we wanted to watch something on tv, it was taped for the weekend. You can't imagine how much time that freed up for lessons (ballet, piano, etc.), sports (baseball, basketball, cheerleading, football, etc.), and reading.

 

[Lynn CC]

Our DS is a Junior in HS and is taking AP courses. I think the main thing while the kids are young is to get them interested in reading. Make reading fun for them, turn off the T.V. and have "family reading time" that means everyone in the house should be reading a book for enjoyment ( I fell asleep many nights with my face in my book LOL). We did this with DS since he was able to be read to.
Sylvan learning Center gives kids a lot of confidence as well.
We sent DS there for 3 years (expensive, but so worth it).

How did DS spend most of X-Mas vacation...he read a book for school, then 2 books for enjoyment!
That's really all I can think of to help you out. Some kids like to do well to please others, some like to do well to please themselves. I think with a lot of encouragement and interest in their daily routine, especially homework and helping them study, helps them feel like they want to succeed!

Have Fun!

 

[BrerMom]

Nothing much to add, but I'll give a huge "second" to instilling a love of reading. We've tried to do this since they were literally babies. Most kids get tucked in with a blankie and a stuffed animal. Ours got a blankie, an animal, and a board book. We've been a little flexible on bedtime, so I've been able to say, "OK, yes, you can stay up for 20 more minutes if you want to finish that chapter."

Read with them, have them read to you, and let them see you enjoy reading for fun - the role modeling is so important. They are NEVER to old to be read to. I still remember enjoying having my mom read chapter books to us when I was in high school.