We all know that consistent and strong study habits are the foundation of remarkable academic achievements. However, instilling such habits in children is not as easy as it looks. After talking to several parents, we at Delhi Public School Kangra, positioned among the top schools in Kangra, have realized that most attempts to foster strong study habits in children often meet with procrastination, resistance, and short-lived compliance. If you have experienced similar results, it is time to embrace a different approach.
We at Delhi Public School Kangra believe that the most effective strategies are not the most elaborate; they are the ones that work with your child’s natural tendencies and existing family rhythms. Instead of trying to follow strategies that promote complex or stricter enforcement, look for more intuitive methods that blend learning into your child’s everyday life. It can help your kids embrace better study habits more effortlessly. If you are unsure how to achieve it, implement the following strategies.
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Exploring Unconventional Learning Avenues
Learning doesn’t only happen when your kids sit on a study table with textbooks. If your child resists long study hours, focus on designing a more balanced study schedule that isn’t restricted to a particular place. For example, if your kid is currently learning fractions, additions, multiplications, etc., encourage them to learn the fundamentals using their traditional learning resources.
Then, help them recall and practice their lessons through relevant daily activities. Ask your kids to measure ingredients while baking cookies, converting measurements, or calculating doubling recipes for effortless math practice.
Such activities work wonders because they tap into kid’s intrinsic motivation by connecting learning to activities that they’re willing to engage in. Once they start enjoying these learning experiences, they’ll naturally want to spend time studying and practising the learned information.
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The ‘Step-Back’ Approach
This tip is for parents whose kids are highly dependent on them for daily study sessions. If your kids only study when you sit beside them, help organize their assignments, or troubleshoot problems, it’s time to instil more independence in their study habits and routines. Here, we at Delhi Public School Kangra would like to recommend following a ‘step-back’ approach where parents intentionally distance themselves from their child’s study routine in phases.
Start by moving nearby but not sitting directly next to them, followed by routine check-in at scheduled intervals. Finally, you can become available only when requested. This strategy is highly effective as it respects children’s developmental need for autonomy while providing a reasonable safety net to them. Don’t jump in with instant solutions when kids struggle with a particular problem or concept.
Respond with prompting questions, such as ‘What part is confusing you?’ or ‘What steps did you take to solve the problem?’ These actions create an environment where kids learn to self-regulate their study tasks, become confident while handling complex subjects independently, and develop a natural interest in following consistent study routines.
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Avoid Long Study Sessions
Some children feel pressured and unfocused during extended study sessions, making them resist studying altogether. If your child starts showing signs of frustration during study hours, consider reevaluating their study approach.
You can encourage them to include frequent breaks to ease any pressure caused by long study hours. We recommend talking to your kids to explore sustainable routines that don’t hamper their academic progress. For example, instead of making them study for two hours straight, divide it into two separate portions.
One 1-hour session in the morning and another 1-hour session in the evening may boost their motivation to study, helping them stick to their study habits in the long run.
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Design Rotatable Study Zones
Environment influences study experiences in more ways than we can imagine. When children sit in the same space to study for a long period, they develop mental fatigue and reduced motivation. In such cases, simple measures such as changing their study space can facilitate the release of stagnant energy.
Change in the external environment adds freshness and a renewed sense of motivation in some kids, helping them study without fuss and challenges. If you want your kids to follow study habits consistently, create multiple spaces that support their study sessions. You don’t need large spaces or expensive setups for this strategy. Even a simple and comfortable nook on a balcony, living room, etc., can bring the expected changes. We at Delhi Public School Kangra, one of the top schools in Kangra, would like to recommend parents to include their children in this process so the spaces are designed according to their preference, sparking more interest in following study routines.
Conclusion
Dedicated study habits are one of the most crucial factors for assuring academic success for children. Studying regularly ensures that kids do not let the academic pressure or burden build up over time, which otherwise often leads to all-nighters and crammed learning sessions right before examinations. However, despite being necessary, building good study habits in kids does not come easy.
If you are a parent struggling to make your kids follow strong study habits, consider implementing the strategies discussed in this blog post. You can adjust the strategies to ensure they align with your specific requirements and your child’s temperament for the best results.