So here it is… a parents guide to preparing your child for school, 5 tips:

1. Set realistic targets!

We know how tempting it is to set the highest objectives, however, difficult targets can sometimes put unnecessary stress on your child. Be realistic! Going from a C to an A might not always be a reasonable goal. By taking a step-by-step approach, your child will feel closer to achieving his or her targets and will at the same time develop study discipline and habits that are important to achieve top grades.

2. Prep a plan!

Staying on top of things gives you a sense of control which keeps anxiety levels low. By being aware of key dates and exams, you can start your preparations early. This is a fantastic way to keep both yourself and your child safe from surprises and to make home-studying a routine. 

3. It’s bedtime, kids!

Don’t flip the sleeping switch the night before school starts. This would probably mean that you will have to wake them up in the morning, meaning your child has slept too little. By getting back to an early-to-bed schedule the week before school starts, your child will be ready to kickstart their term in the best way. Remember, having to rush your child out of bed creates anxiety and stress for both parents and children. Yes, we´ve all been there…

4. Talk it up!

Going back to school shouldn’t be seen as a chore. Help your child feel excited about it, mention their friends, their new backpacks, whatever! There are many ways to get creative and to motivate your child, so experiment with what works best for you. However, if you can sense that something is not right, ask about it. It’s important that your child is in an emotionally positive state. If they have concerns, discuss it together and identify how it can be addressed.

5. Don’t forget your pen!

It might sound silly but having an empty pencil case on your first day back is an unnecessary annoyance. And remember, you as a parent will get the blame… Let your child choose their own supplies. A fancy pencil might sound like a small thing, but if your child finds enjoyment from that, chances are it will make studying feel a bit less intimidating.  

We hope these tips have given you a better idea on how to prepare your child for going back to school after the school holidays!

These tips are meant to diminish the stressful elements of going back to school, while making it easier to find sources of enjoyment. 

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5 tips in preparing your child for exams:

Stress management

Having some anxiety before exams is normal, actually, it even helps you perform at your best. Encourage your child. We can only ask for them to do their best. If it does not go well, there are always other opportunities coming. If you believe your child needs extra support, there are plenty of great options to choose from. Relax!

Practice an exam

Normally, you should be able to find practice tests online that give your child some hints about what to expect. This is a terrific way of finding out what your child needs to practice more! Knowing your strengths and weaknesses helps you to more efficiently allocate the time spent revising different subjects. Time is of the essence!

Reward your child

We have all been there, so we know studying before exams is tough. It is a lot of demanding work. As a parent, we need to reward our children when they have done something good. Therefore, reward them for their good work. Let them watch a movie or play their favourite game. Rewarding them for their determination keeps their motivation levels high and they’ll appreciate the treat! Win-win!

Be healthy

Eating healthy and exercising has for long been a winning concept. Children that do will have longer attention spans and will increase their information retention. Additionally, if your child gets a good night’s sleep the night before the exam you can be sure that they will perform at their best. Eat, sleep, revise, repeat!

Hire a tutor

If you feel like you have tried it all and done your best to make your child perform at school, but are concerned that it is not enough, consider hiring a tutor. There are plenty of tutors available that specialize in different subjects and test levels. Find your fit! Finding the tutor that works best for your child can elevate your child’s performance to a new level. There is no ´one size fits it all´, and that is the reason that private tutoring could be a worthwhile investment for you and your child. Keep learning!

These are just a few proven tips that can elevate your child’s learning and while it is no guarantee, it will certainly help! Preparing your child for the exams is important so that both of you can be confident and relaxed before the big day. Good luck!

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Despite the monumental efforts of teachers and schools, some children will need additional support to enable them to progress with the school curriculum.

This support may come in many forms, but Professor Becky Francis, CEO of the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF), believes high-quality tuition is the best way for pupils to catch up what has been missed. The UK government seems to agree, pledging £350m towards a National Tutoring Programme.¹

What is ‘high-quality’ tuition?

The marker of ‘high-quality’ comes from two significant variables: namely, the size of the tuition group and the calibre of the tutor.

Small group tuition is defined as one tutor working with two to five pupils at the same time. Much smaller than a classroom setting, this arrangement provides students with exclusive focus, while benefitting from peer interaction.

Individualised tuition provides one-to-one assistance for a specific learning goal: advancement in a subject, focus on a problem area, intense preparation for an exam. It is a good solution for children who need a challenge, or those who would benefit from less distractions.

High-quality tutors are professional educators – those with a background in teaching and extensive experience in delivering curriculum content.

How effective is tutoring?

Up to five months of additional progress can be made with small group or one-to-one tuition – providing the sessions are consistent. Evidence suggests that regular sessions conducted over a set period of time result in optimum learning progression, in addition to normal teaching.²

In fact, 18% of senior leaders, have advocated tutoring in their own schools.³ That means 1 in 5 headteachers recommend private or small group tuition to children or parents.

Selecting a high-quality tutor

Considering a tutor for your child? Look out for these three indicators of high-quality tuition:

Experience of the tutor: go with a company that vets its tutors carefully, ensuring the best quality of education for your child

1. Personalised service: high-quality tuition means matching the needs of the child to the right tutor, tailoring a bespoke tutoring package, rather than a one-size-fits-all
2. Feedback: the most successful tutoring companies provide consistent feedback, measuring your child’s progress and sharing that with you

Sources

¹ https://educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk/news/300m-national-tutoring-programme-launched/

² Sutton Trust-EEF Teaching and Learning Toolkit

³ https://www.suttontrust.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/PrivateTuition2019-PollingTables.pdf

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