| Parents can support and encourage their children's | | | | words?words interfere with the part of their brain they |
| successful learning by helping them create a positive | | | | need to study effectively, even if they're not |
| study environment. Here are some of the ideas we | | | | consciously listening to the words! |
| give to parents of children who have attended | | | | Affirmative signs |
| SuperCamp, our summer enrichment program for | | | | Positive signs will remind your child's subconscious mind |
| youth and teens. Children spend a lot of time studying | | | | of his or her potential to learn. Help your child create an |
| at home (we hope!) so why not help them take | | | | inspiring atmosphere by making some signs?use lots of |
| responsibility for their study space and make it work | | | | color (our brains love color!) and the following ideas to |
| for them? With just a little effort it can actually be a | | | | get you started: |
| positive, appealing area where they feel comfortable | | | | - I BELIEVE IN MYSELF |
| and motivated. | | | | - EVERYTHING I DO DESERVES MY BEST |
| In all our Quantum Learning teachings we build an | | | | EFFORT |
| awareness of an important concept? we use it at | | | | - LEARNING IS FUN AND NATURAL! |
| SuperCamp and we use it in our teacher training and | | | | - EVERY CHALLENGE OFFERS A GIFT |
| in-school programs?and it's also worth remembering | | | | - I AM UNIQUE AND VALUABLE |
| when creating a positive study environment at home. | | | | - I AM RESPONSIBLE FOR WHAT I CREATE |
| Everything Speaks means that everything in the | | | | - I CAN LEARN THIS! |
| environment sends a message that either enhances or | | | | - EVERYONE HAS THE RESOURCES TO BE |
| detracts from learning. Think about tidy vs. cluttered | | | | SUCCESSFUL |
| chaos, light and airy vs. dim and dark, inviting and | | | | Another good idea is to have an achievement area (a |
| functional vs. any old place. | | | | bulletin board would work well) for awards, papers |
| Location | | | | with good grades, and lists of accomplishments. A |
| As they say in real estate, location is everything. Find a | | | | bulletin board would also work well for posting study |
| place that's quiet and free of distractions?so, if | | | | schedules and reminders of project due dates. |
| possible, not the family room or the dining room table! | | | | Homework support |
| The ideal is a defined study area in your child's | | | | Your show of interest, support, and guidance in helping |
| bedroom. | | | | your child create a positive study environment at home |
| Furnishings | | | | will go a long way toward establishing great |
| Make sure home study areas have good lighting | | | | homework habits. It's also a good idea to create and |
| (ideally, natural light and a lamp), shelves for reference | | | | agree on homework guidelines so you can continue to |
| books and supplies, and a computer, if needed. | | | | work together toward success. Why not have a |
| Obviously, they'll also need a desk or table with space | | | | special lunch together and set up a plan that will work |
| for their study materials as well as a work area that's | | | | for both of you? You could also consider a reward for |
| not cramped. And a comfortable "sit-upright" chair will | | | | consistently following "the plan." |
| help them stay alert and focused. | | | | - Homework time: Sometimes it's not easy because of |
| Resources | | | | extracurricular activities, but try to define a specific |
| Make sure your kids don't have to waste valuable | | | | time each day that homework will be started. |
| study time looking for a pen! Help them stock up on | | | | - Distractions: Fewer distractions equals more |
| pens, paper, and pencils, and have them all within | | | | productive time. Make a plan with your child about the |
| reach, not just somewhere in their room! Also make | | | | timing for phone calls, internet "browsing", and play time. |
| sure they have whatever reference material they | | | | - Breaks: Breaks are important. Research shows that |
| need. | | | | students remember more of the information learned at |
| Music | | | | "beginnings" and "endings" of study periods. Thus, |
| Some classical music is "brain friendly" and enhances | | | | better retention is experienced when frequent breaks |
| the study environment. Baroque music helps students | | | | are taken. A ten-minute break after each hour of |
| to focus and to access their most resourceful learning | | | | study time will enhance learning. (For younger children |
| state. The music optimizes the functions of the brain | | | | who don't have such long study periods, a five-minute |
| that store and retrieve information. Many (most?!) | | | | break every half hour will work well.) |
| children will think that their own music is best, but try to | | | | - Flexibility: You will both need to agree to be |
| convince them to try baroque?they may well notice | | | | flexible?sometimes homework will have to start a bit |
| that it makes their study time easier, and want more! | | | | later, sometimes a family commitment will mean |
| Suggest that they try some Bach, Handel, or Vivaldi | | | | starting a little earlier, sometimes a break may need to |
| while they're studying and save their own music for | | | | be slightly longer than five or ten minutes. Flexibility |
| breaks. If your kids are resistant, a first step might be | | | | keeps you and your child connected! |
| to suggest that they choose music that does not have | | | | |