Effective Study tips for kids

It is commonly said that - toppers are not born, they are made. But still, it is believed by many parents that toppers are talented individuals who need less effort to achieve desired results. But what many parents fail to understand is the role played by effective study tips in the success of the toppers.

Studying is definitely not an easy task. But by developing good study habits, studying can become interesting and enjoyable. 

Academic success is an outcome of various factors put together to achieve the desired result. These factors include good habits, proper attitude, managing emotions, and putting in the required effort. 

And for these factors to come together, developing an effective study plan and study skills is essential. Thus, to help you with this, we have curated a list of study tips to help your kids develop good study habits.

But, before implementing any of the tips, do not forget to teach your child to keep the academic goal SMART i.e. specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and time-bound.

And based on it, let’s look at the success mantra for achieving these goals with the help of effective study tips mentioned below.

Effective study tips for kids to excel in their school exams

Let's dive in to know more about study tips that topper use -

1. The study space matters a lot.

It is necessary to create a place specially designated for studying. This place must be comfortable enough with proper light, ventilation, and space to spread out the books.  

But mind you, it should not be very comfortable or relaxing which will make the child fall asleep rather than study. 

Teach your child to keep the study space organized so that he can easily concentrate on studying. Also, do not forget to keep distractions away. Turn off the television or any other background noise that is keeping the child from focusing on studies. 

And, if he is getting disturbed by any noise which you cannot control like the kids playing outside or the continuous honking horns, you consider using noise-canceling headphones. 

In case, complete silence does not work for him, opt for some soft instrumental music in the background. This study tip will require you to experiment and see what works best for him and work accordingly.

Apart from this, keep the things he frequently uses within easy access. These items include pens, pencils, an eraser, highlighters, markers, a stapler, etc.

2. Plan the study time.

Preparing a schedule for study time can be difficult considering the enormous time spent by the kids in the schools and then the extracurricular activities. By the time, the child comes home, the energy levels are undeniably low. 

Thus, while implementing this study tip, you and your child must sit together and decide the study time mutually. It should be clear to the child when to start with studies and when to end. Unexpected things may come up. Assist the child in coming up with ways to work around it and prioritize studying. 

Always remember that children cannot concentrate when they are physically or mentally exhausted. Thus, while deciding on the study schedule, do not forget to consider the time during which your child is more attentive and alert. 

A bonus study tip for your kid - When you plan your study time, note down the key dates for submission, projects, homework, and the upcoming exam. Decide how much time will be required for each activity and accordingly create a plan. Do not forget to mark it on the calendar to avoid missing out on any of the commitments. 

You and your child must frequently revisit the plan to see if it needs any changes or adjustments. Teach your child to avoid getting tempted to miss out on the study session in any case. Just ensure that he is consistent enough.

3. Small breaks are essential -

So, now that you have decided on the study place and the time for your kid, do not expect him to sit and study for hours together. Working uninterruptedly for long hours can lead to exhaustion and stress.

Instead, taking short breaks in between replenishes the much-needed energy levels. Even experts suggest that taking breaks in between increases productivity leading to better concentration levels. 

This study tip for kids is also helpful in retaining more information by assisting in recovering from stress. Thus, ask your child to take brief breaks for a stretch, a small walk, to stay hydrated, or catch up with friends.

4. A good night’s sleep is equally important. 

In this study tip, we are discussing the importance of a good night’s sleep because the lack of it can make an otherwise healthy child easily irritated and impatient. 

Many studies reveal that proper sleep at night and a sustainable schedule can help in rebuilding the neuron connections that support motor, sensory and cognitive skills. These skills are necessary to regulate behavioral patterns. 

Parents must keep a close watch on the sleeping cycle of their children. If undesired changes are observed for a prolonged period then proper actions must be taken. 

Many times, extended exposure to screens, over-tiredness, improper sleep schedule, stress, etc may lead to insufficient sleep in children. Try to figure out the reason and work towards it. 

Children definitely require some downtime to relax and rejuvenate. Thus, avoid the temptation to overschedule them in a lot of activities if it is working against the child's well-being.

5. A proper diet is a must 

Proper nutrition can remarkably help children reach their true educational potential. Nutrition is known to have a direct impact on the mental capacity of children. 

Studies reveal that a lack of proper nutrition can lead to reduced cognitive skills and concentration ability. It may also lead to weaker immunity and restricted growth. 

On the other hand, improvement in nutrition means a healthier body, proper brain development, less absenteeism, and fewer disruptions in the learning process of the children. 

Moreover, starting with a balanced diet from an early age sets a foundation for lifelong healthy eating habits. 

Thus, according to this study tip, parents must ensure that their child has a positive experience with food and eating early on in their lives. They can ensure a safe, healthy, and intellectual life for their kids by adopting fresh and nourishing food choices.

Also, Read 5 simple tips to improve concentration in kids - Buzzapp. app

6. Exercise and physical activity can do wonders 

Many students every year go through enormous exam stress leading to anxiety, mood swings, and reduced focus. 

If a child is deprived of exercise or physical activity for a long time then it may lead to many negative health effects that include reduced social skills, problem-solving skills, depression, etc.

Exercise is one of the best study tips for kids that can help in keeping these ill effects at bay. Any kind of physical activity can not only assist in physical well-being but can significantly lift the mood and mitigates any kind of negative feeling.

This improves the mental health, concentration, and learning ability of the children along with helping them manage unnecessary stress and anxiety. And it also helps in better quality sleep.

There is much evidence that proves a positive association between extracurricular activities and academic performance. This is the very reason why many top schools in Kolkata] have also incorporated extracurricular activities as part of their learning process.  

Thus, more and more parents are opting for such schools that provide such facilities. You can also find such schools and explore the facilities provided by them on Buzzapp, a school search platform. 

You can also talk to the school representative through Buzzapp’s in-app communication or schedule appointments.

7. Do not pressurize the child 

Every parent wants the best for their ward and expects them to live up to this expectation. And, then unknowingly out of this expectation, they pressurize their children to do well in their exams and pass with flying colors. 

Being a parent, it is obvious to have high expectations but putting too much pressure can jeopardize their mental well-being. 

Children who feel the constant pressure to excel in academics may experience high amounts of mental stress and anxiety leading to depression as well. In fact, due to these expectations, there is a high possibility of the child getting into the habit of cheating. 

Moreover, the constant expectation to do well can also affect their self-esteem. It can discourage them from trying new things out of fear of failing. 

Every parent cares for their child and this parental pressure stems from this care and good intention. However, there is a fine line between caring and pressurizing. You must know where to stop. 

Thus, pressurizing is not the solution to your problem. The best way is to talk to them and know their feelings as well. Focus more on the learning process rather than the outcome. And lastly, do not criticize them for mistakes.

8. Avoid cramming -

When the child is overwhelmed with a lot of homework and assignments, the best way to help them is to break it up into small achievable tasks. For example - Instead of solving all the 25 maths problems in one go, you can suggest they solve 5 problems at a time. 

Cramming all the things the night before the test can become very stressful for the children. Thus dividing the task into small chunks helps the children to avoid the urge to procrastinate and instead get started with the work much before the test. 

The key to avoiding falling behind on schoolwork is to study every day. Even a quick review of notes taken every day during the class can be helpful. Thus, teach your child to study daily, although the session can be shorter. 

Forming a habit takes time and needs consistency. With this effective study tip, they can start with small achievable tasks, and soon they will get into the habit of studying every day. 

9. Teach your child when to get help 

It happens to everyone at some point that we are stuck with a particular assignment, project, or homework. The same will happen to your child as well. However, it is commonly observed that kids associate asking for help with incompetency.

Thus, many children struggle when it comes to asking for help. So, it is the responsibility of the parents to help them understand that this reluctance can hamper their academic progress. Apart from academic success, this effective study tip is essential in succeeding in life as well. 

Thus, let them know that everyone needs help and it is ok to ask for one. Help them understand that seeking help is not a sign of weakness or failure but instead is an integral part of the learning process. Thus, encourage them to ask for help from teachers or friends in case of doubts and get them cleared. 

10. Do not forget to stay involved

Being actively involved in your child’s learning journey can be highly beneficial. Seeing the parents invested in their education, children get motivated to perform well in their exams. 

Even small steps from your end will go a long way. You can stay involved in your child’s education by attending the school orientation programs, assistance in managing the homework, attending parent-teacher meetings, reading along with them, etc.

Conclusion - 

The above-mentioned list of effective study tips for kids can help you get started with developing good study habits in your children. However, do not overwhelm your child by starting with all of them at once. Instead, opt for any two to three study tips at a time and see how it goes. 

[Read More: How to inculcate study habits when the child is not interested?]