Secrets of School Success Part 1

If you haven't been serious about your children's education, now it's time to do so. 

Here is the question: Why do some students succeed in school and others struggle? 

The answer lies in the student’s attitude towards learning both at home and school. 

Learning begins at home and parents are a child’s first teachers. In one sense all children are home schooled, even those who attend school. 

With that in mind, here are 2 ways that parents and other educators can help children become academic achievers.

1. Implant a love of learning

Not surprisingly, research shows little correlation between IQ, economic status, a privileged childhood, or even preschool and later academic success. 

The most influential factor in children’s academic success was parents who instill the love of learning early on. Learning is rooted in curiosity. 

Kids are naturally curious and from early infancy onward, parents, as teachers, act as facilitators, guiding those curious, exploring hands and eyes towards interesting objects. This doesn’t necessarily mean lots of educational toys. 

Babies learn a lot riding in a baby sling, where they can be in all of the conversations and see the world near adult eye level. 

Learning tools for toddlers can be as simple as a kitchen drawer or cupboard for the pots and pans, paper towel rolls, and plastic dishes that the child is allowed to play with. Basic balls and blocks are also great toys for stimulating and satisfying curiosity.

2. Foster Free Play

Let children play, for this is how they learn. While one-on-one time with parents are certainly important to facilitate early learning be sure to give your toddler and older child ample time alone to simply mess around with toys and safely explore the environment. 

Preschool children do not need to have every minute of the day filled with one planned activity or one lesson after another. Childproof your home and allow your child to take reasonable risks. 

Don’t constantly supervise your child by adult warnings such as “Be careful” and “Don’t Touch.” Learning usually involve some risk-taking.

Go to Secret of School Success Part 2 for more information.

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Here's What You Need to Know About Your Child's Developmental Stages

Numerous studies have shown that those adults who feel the most frustrated by children – – and least competent as parents – – usually have one thing in common.

They don’t know what behaviors are normal and appropriate for children at different stages of development.

This leads the parent to misinterpret their children’s natural behaviors and to have inappropriate expectations, both for the child and for the parent.

Behavior as Communication
Understanding child development takes the emphasis away from your child’s character – looking at your child as good or bad.

The emphasis is put on behavior as communication. Discipline is thus seen as problem solving. Your child needs to be helped to learn a more acceptable manner of communication.

There’s one basic rule you should remember about developmental stages and charts that will save you countless hours of worry. The fact that your child passes through a particular developmental stage is always more important than the age in which your child does it.

In the long run, it really doesn’t matter whether your child learns to walk at 10 months or 15 months – – as long as he learns how to walk.

Your Child's Unique Inner Timetable 

Every child has an inner timetable for growth that’s unique to him. Growth is not a steady upward progression. Instead it is three steps forward, two back, a run around in circles, and often simply standing still before another leap forward.

Also, gaining a better understanding about how children’s minds work at different ages will allow you to make more sense of your child’s behaviors. This understanding can decrease your stress and increase your pleasure from being a parent.

It lessens your frustrations that come from expecting things that a child simply cannot do and incorrectly interpreting your child’s behavior in adult terms.

Rapid Growth Can Also Be Hard on Your Child
As a parent, understand and accept your child’s more difficult stages as necessary times of growth for your child. Appreciate your fact that your child’s phases are not easy for him to live through either.

Rapid growth times are hard on a child. Perhaps it is a small comfort to know that your child’s harder to-live-with stages do alternate with the calmer times, Count on getting periodic breaks.

Information about child development enhances your capacity to respond appropriately to your children. Informed parents are better equipped to problem solve, more confident in their decisions, and more likely to respond sensitively to their children’s developmental needs.

Children who are allowed to develop at their own speed will usually win the race of  life.

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