Study Habits For Kids

Turn off the TV set. Make a house rule, that when it is study time, it is "no TV" time. Television distracts teenagers and other children when they are trying to study.

What about the radio? It should be turned off some children do study all right with the radio turned on to a favorite music station.

Certain rules should be set about the family phone during study hours. The more people in the house the more you will need a phone. A timer, placed next to the phone, can help to control the length of calls so that the telephone will be available if it becomes necessary to call a schoolmate to confirm an assignment or discuss particularly difficult homework.

Designate specific areas for homework and studying. Possibilities include the child's room or the kitchen or dining room table. Eliminate as much distraction as possible.

Organize study and homework projects. Get a large calendar, one that allows space for writing down things in the daily boxes.

Note-taking is a critical skill and should be developed. Many students don't know how to take notes in those classes that require them. Help your child by going over there notes with them and showing them how to take notes of the important things that the teacher says and not every word.

Should notes ever be rewritten? In some cases, they should be, particularly if a lot of material was covered, and the youngster had to write quickly but lacks speed and organization. Rewriting notes takes time, but it can be an excellent review of the subject matter. However, rewriting notes isn't worth the time unless they are used for review and recall of important information.

Help your child to feel confident for tests. Taking tests can be a hard experience for some students. Explain to your child that cramming the night before a test is not productive.

During a homework session, watch for signs of frustration. No learning can take place and little can be accomplished if the child is angry or upset over an assignment that is too long or too difficult.

Should parents help with homework? Yes-if it is clearly productive to do so.