Parents are increasingly aware of the growing number of children who lack good study habits and therefore are unable to achieve good grades. It is a case of 'for lack of a nail, the battle was lost ...' and, as in the moral to that story, entirely preventable. Children should begin to develop good study skills while in grade school. You can help. With grade school materials, it may be sufficient to have their homework done each day at a specific time. This teaches a disciplined approach. Expose them to the dictionary by the time they're in fourth grade. Reference sources are an important component in forming good study habits. Teach youngsters how to find the answer to a question, whether school related or not. This encourages curiosity and self confidence.
By the time a child enters seventh grade, their courses require a certain degree of proficiency in middle school study skills to successfully tackle and complete their homework assignments. The ability to conduct research and knowledge of reference materials available outside their textbooks are important middle school study skills. Children who possess these basic skills do far better and with less effort than their peers who lack these skills.
Other, more subtle middle school study habits that contribute to success include self-discipline and an ability to focus and concentrate on the task at hand. Teaching grade school students to complete their homework each day prepares them for the stricter discipline required for good middle school study skills.
Let's say your pre-teen finds it hard to focus on today's math assignment just now. Instead of forcing the issue, sit down and see if you can see what the problem is and how you might help redirect their attention. However, it could just be that the child just feels antsy. Tell the child that sometimes it's best to divert your attention and come back to the task shortly. Have them go out for a short walk, or toss a few balls in the basketball hoop. Set a time limit and send them off with a smile. You'll find that nine times out of ten, they'll come in and be able to get right into the math.
Developing good middle school study habits requires a bit of compromise on your part. If you try to play the drill sergeant, you're going to turn them off. When you work with them, you'll get a better response and ultimate result.
Helping your child develop good study habits in middle school will pay them handsomely later on, in both high school and college. They'll thank you for a lifetime.