How Parental Support Can Help Students Succeed
January 30, 2020
The role of parental support in your child’s success
Over several decades, there have been many studies that examine the link between parental support and the success of children. The combined results of the research confirm that the link is indeed a strong one. At Abbotts College, we offer student support through our supervised homework sessions, after school access to teachers, individual approach to academic improvement, regular feedback through our 7 reports and our mentorship programme. However, the impact of support from parents goes a long way too.
There are many benefits that can be seen from a healthy amount of parental support. For starters, there’s improved behaviour in the classroom. This is said to be parental involvement impacting a child’s attitude towards learning, school and even their self-confidence. As a result, showing interest in your child and their time at school can only yield positive outcomes.
Increased academic performance is another perk of being involved in your child’s school career. The more involved parents are, the more likely kids are to believe in themselves and give their best. Should any issues arise, these are resolved sooner when parents play an active role in their child’s life. Educators are also able to communicate more readily with parents who take an interest.
Students with parents who are involved are also more likely to progress to higher academic levels than those with parents who don’t partake. A parent showing interest is a sign of support to a child. It makes them feel as if they could and should progress further because their parents are there for them.
Teachers also benefit from parents who are involved because they feel greater support from them as well. When parents take an interest, teachers are able to get to know them better. It also makes communication between the classroom and home more seamless. This allows for any learning problems to be addressed.
It’s also important to remember that parental involvement benefits the parents too. Parents who take an interest are also less likely to worry about their child’s results and social relationships at school. This is because they’re aware of what’s happening both in the classroom and on the social front as students with parents who are involved are also more likely to talk about things that they aren’t happy with.
At Abbotts College, we’re as involved as you are and believe in working together as a unit of support.
Whilst our approach to learning might be unconventional, we stay true to the values that empower our students to give their best every single day. For more on us and our schools, please click here.
If you’re ready for your child to join us at Abbotts College, please visit the following link:
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As the preliminary and final examinations approach, both students and parents or guardians often experience heightened anxiety and stress. This guide provides practical strategies to help parents and guardians support their children through this critical phase of their academic journey. 1. Foster Effective Organization Create an environment conducive to studying by providing a quiet, well-lit study space equipped with essential stationery. Collaborate with your child to develop a structured study timetable to set clear expectations and promote disciplined preparation. Encourage the use of resources such as past question papers, which serve as valuable tools for revision and practice. 2. Maintain Daily Check-Ins Schedule regular, intentional conversations, such as during dinner, to discuss your child’s progress. Inquire about their experience with the day’s examination paper, adherence to their study schedule, and their feelings about upcoming tests. These check-ins foster open communication and allow you to gauge their emotional and academic state. 3. Minimize Distractions Help your child stay focused by keeping electronic devices like phones, tablets, and gaming consoles out of reach during study sessions. Set boundaries on screen time and social media access to prevent procrastination. While challenging, limiting Wi-Fi access during study hours can significantly enhance productivity. 4. Support Emotional Awareness Encourage your child to identify and articulate their emotions, such as anxiety, stress, or fatigue . Recognizing these feelings is the first step toward addressing them effectively. Discuss coping strategies to help them navigate emotional challenges during this period. 5. Teach Self-Regulation Techniques Guide your child in practicing self-regulation to manage stress. Techniques include: Breathing Exercises : Inhale deeply for four seconds, hold for four seconds, exhale for four seconds, and repeat. Sensory Focus : Identify five things they can see or hear to ground themselves in the moment. Tactile Stimulation : Hold a cold object to shift focus and reduce anxiety. These methods can help your child regain calm and focus during stressful moments. 6. Promote a Balanced Routine Prolonged study sessions late into the night can lead to burnout. Monitor your child’s study habits and encourage breaks to maintain balance. Plan activities such as outings with friends, a family meal, or short recreational periods with access to devices. Engaging in non-academic activities, like helping prepare dinner, can provide a refreshing change of focus. 7. Prioritize Self-Care Support your child’s well-being by ensuring they: Eat nutritious, regular meals. Get at least eight hours of sleep by limiting screen time before bed. Engage in physical activities such as walking, jogging, yoga, dancing, or gym workouts. These practices help alleviate stress and anxiety, which are common during examination periods. 8. Practice Empathy and Patience The examination period can be emotionally taxing for both students and parents. Approach your child with empathy, actively listening and offering guidance without criticism. This fosters a supportive environment, bolstering their mental health and sense of inclusion. By implementing these strategies, parents and guardians can play a pivotal role in helping their children navigate the challenges of examinations with confidence and resilience. Good luck to all the Grade 12 students with the upcoming examinations - you most certainly can do it!
