It becomes increasingly important in the high school years to get good grades. By establishing a pre-homework routine early on in the school life of children, they will more easily be able to prepare themselves for the shift to completing homework once they arrive home. Here are some simple ideas to work into your teenager’s routine so as to encourage academic success.
Allow for relaxation before focusing on homework
School kids have been involved in classes all day by the time they finally come home. Allow for a period in which they can effectively decompress. If the teenager is not engaged in an after school sport, allow for a period of physical activity. This may as simple as a short bike ride or walk around the neighborhood. Following physical activity, a shower and a healthy snack such as a protein will prepare the student to refocus on studies. There should be a change of routine from school once the teenager arrives home as this will encourage a fresh focus on the homework at hand.
Encourage a few minutes of meditation
If you introduce a child early enough to a simple practice of clearing the mind before engaging in a mental activity such as homework, the benefits of a focused mind will be apparent and a routine will be established. This may be as simple as sitting quietly for five minutes and taking deep breaths. Encourage the child to push any thoughts that come into the mind away, like watching clouds move across a blue sky. Guide the child to listen to the simple sounds around him and incorporate them into his meditation. A lot of stress and self chatter can be released in only five minutes of clearing the mind! You might be surprised at how well a child responds to this.
Make sure your teenager has a clean, quiet space to study homework
A large well organized desk with drawers for hanging files and an opportunity to organize paperwork facilitates an organized mind. Don’t allow a child to do his homework on the dining room table or in the kitchen. There should be a specific place he associates with study. If you introduce these guidelines before the child reaches the teenage years, they will be easier to enforce as they will have an established study routine that works.
Create a drop box for electronic devices before study
Have a basket on hand close by the front door into which you should encourage the child to drop cell phones, iPods and any other electronic devices that might be a distraction during homework time. A child that is constantly checking text messages from friends will not be able to focus.
Be an ally and sympathetic study coach
Kids have a lot of pressure nowadays. The life of teenagers is fraught with anxiety and they carry a heavy load both academically and socially. Allow your child to learn from his mistakes and see that every failure is an opportunity to learn. If your child feels overwhelmed with the amount of work he has, teach him the wonders of highlighting, organizing work and breaking down the subject at hand. A large calendar is very helpful to organize upcoming tests and quizzes. Seek out coaching at your child’s school. There are often seminars on how to study and organize homework which can be very helpful.
The teenage years are a very important preparation for college as grades become increasingly important. Establish a study routine for your teenager early on and you will find that they seek it out. An outlet for physical activity, a discipline to de-stress and a well organized space are all helpful allies to academic success.
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Alexandra Clark - Alexandra Clark has always been interested in alternative health and healing. She transferred from a career as a translator of Spanish and ...
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