How to Support Your Child

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How can I support my child's learning? 

Supporting teenagers with their learning involves a delicate balance of providing guidance, fostering independence, and maintaining open communication. There are numerous ways you can support your child: ensuring they are wearing the correct uniform, and that they turn up on time at the start of the day, being aware of their self-study tasks and deadlines and many others. Sometimes it’s hard to know where to start if you want to get more involved – so here is a list of things you might like to try.

Create a Supportive Learning Environment:

• Designate a study space at home: Help them set up a quiet, organised, and distraction-free area where they can focus on self-study and studying. This might be their bedroom, a corner of a living space, or even a desk in a common area.

• Minimise distractions: Encourage them to put away phones or turn off notifications during dedicated study times. Discuss the impact of social media and gaming on focus.

• Prioritise sleep and nutrition: A well-rested and well-fed brain functions best. Encourage consistent sleep routines and healthy eating habits, especially around exam times.

• Balance work and play: Emphasise the importance of breaks, hobbies, physical activity, and social time. Burnout is real, and a balanced life contributes to better learning.

Foster Independence and Responsibility:

• Encourage ownership: While it's tempting to micromanage, empower your teenager to take responsibility for their own learning. This means letting them manage their deadlines, organise their notes, and learn from their mistakes.

• Help them develop study skills: Don't just tell them to study; guide them on how to study effectively. This could include:

  • Time management: Help them to break down large tasks into smaller, manageable chunks. Ask them to talk you through their Google Classroom and tasks.

  • Different study techniques: Explore methods beyond just re-reading notes. Suggest active recall (e.g., flashcards, self-quizzing), mind mapping, teaching the material to someone else, or doing past papers.

  • Goal setting: Work with them to set realistic short-term and long-term academic goals.

• Let natural consequences happen (within reason): If they miss a deadline or get a lower grade because they didn't study, allow them to experience the natural consequences (e.g., a lower mark, having to catch up). This can be a powerful learning experience.

Maintain open communication (beyond just academics):

• Show genuine interest: Ask about their day at school, what they learned, and what they found interesting or challenging. Don't just ask about grades.

• Listen actively: When they do talk about school or difficulties, listen without judgment or interruption. Validate their feelings, even if you don't agree with their perspective.

• Focus on effort, not just outcomes: Praise their hard work, resilience, and effort, regardless of the final grade. This builds intrinsic motivation and a growth mindset. "I'm proud of how hard you worked on that project" is more powerful than "Great job getting grade X."

• Normalise challenges: Let them know that struggling with certain subjects or tasks is a normal part of learning. Share your own experiences with academic challenges and how you overcame them.

•  Avoid comparisons: Don't compare their academic performance to siblings, friends, or even your own experiences at their age. This can be demotivating and lead to resentment.

• Motivation: Sometimes a lack of motivation comes from not seeing the relevance of what they're learning. Help them connect their studies to their future goals, interests, or potential career paths.

Collaborate with us:

• Stay informed: Read the Wildern Weekly, attend parents' evenings, and be aware of key dates (exams, deadlines).

• Communicate with Teachers: If you have concerns about your teenager's learning, reach out to their teachers or Director of Progress and Achievement (DOPA). They can offer insights into specific challenges and suggest strategies.

• Don't go behind their back (if possible): If you need to speak to us about a concern, try to involve your teenager in the conversation or let them know you're doing so. This builds trust.

Use our online resources:

• Know what they will be learning: We publish this in the Wildern Weekly each half term so you know what they will be learning about. If possible, support this with purchasing any resources needed. You can also read more about this in the Parent Handbooks.

• Website study resources: Top tips are often shared in the Wildern Weekly, and are also available below.

• Explore the subject support on Google Sites: Ask your child to show you our Google Site for a subject they are struggling with - this will have the resources used in class to help your child revisit their learning.

By adopting these strategies, you can create a supportive home environment that not only helps your child succeed academically but also equips them with valuable life skills for future learning and personal growth.

Supporting your child with

Reading

Feedback

Challenge

Wellbeing

Organisation

Quality work

Worried about wellbeing?

Visit our school’s Wellbeing Hub to see who you can contact in school about any concerns you have, and recommendations for external support agencies.

Ideas for activities to support your child’s emotional wellbeing:

• Revisit our ‘Wellbeing’ newsletters for the most up to date advice and guidance from the school.

• Anna Freud Coronavirus Support

• CAMHS Support

• Top tips for managing your child’s anxiety

• Read this information pack from the School Nursing Team

Wind down

• Audible are offering free audiobooks without a subscription

• Talk to your child about mindfulness

• Mindful breathing

• Create your own Gratitude Journal

• Free activities and tools to help talk with your child about their emotions

• Relax with origami