Year round support for a Test-smart child

Daily encouragement and support for learning will help your child feel confident and secure. The school curriculum is carefully designed to teach skills your child needs to become a proficent learner. Your home environment is another essential part of the education equation. Here are some ways you can help your child year-round.

Here are some things you can do to support your child

1. Create a quiet study space

A quiet, clean, and cheerful study space will help your child develop strong study habits. Provide a study area with an open workspace. Make sure that writing supplies like paper, and pencil are nearby, as well as tools like calculator, ruler, scissors, glue, and a dictionary. You might also create files or boxes to store your child's work. Make separate files for finished works and works in progress.

2. Be a Homework Helper

Talk about homework assignments with your child. Your questions can help your child focus on what is important about the task or project. Your interest in schoolwork will encourage your child's enthusiasm and dedication. Check in while your child is working to see if you can answer any questions or help find solutions. Just letting your child know that you can promote active learning.

3. Practice with a calculator

Many standardized tests allow students to use calculators. Make sure you have a calculator at home that is in good working condition. Calculators do not replace the learning of Math skills. However, using calculators accurately is essential in many real-life situations. Encourage your child to use calculator to complete homework or to help with household computations.

4. Talk about tests

Find out from your child's teacher when standardized tests will be given during the school year. Mark the dates on your calendar so that both you and your child know when test day approaches. Try not to schedule big activities for the night before a test.

To prepare for the yearly standardized test, score your child's work in this workbook together. Then talk about questions that were easy, hard, or tricky. Review any items answered incorrectly, and work together to understand why another answer is better.

There are also things you can do to help support your child on the day of test. That will be covered under our next Blog. Be sure to check back soon.

Thank you.