Tips for Increased Learning
Yesterday I read an article about ways to help children find the correct seating position for virtual learning at home. https://www.facebook.com/2041776616143812/posts/2701150550206412/?extid=BzMRmPfwix5UQS1K&d=n While reading the article I realized that many of the points in the article are also important for helping your child learn. For example, taking movement breaks helps increase blood flow/oxygen to the brain, thus, improving memory. As I spent more time thinking about this, I realized that my 9th grade teacher at Elmira Free Academy, Mrs. Romeo, gave some great advice that got me through high school, college and graduate school. I will share some of that here so that parents can keep these in mind when trying to help their children through virtual instruction. Or, parents, if you have older children, have them read the tips too!
For middle/high school students:
Taking notes in outline form is very helpful in organizing material. The notes don’t need to be full sentences, just key points to remember later. This format makes it easier to go back and study each section. Highlighting the main topics also helps with ease for later review.
If reading material is able to be highlighted, try highlighting vocabulary words, key names of people/places, etc. This will make it easier to make flash cards when it’s time to study for tests.
Making flash cards is a great way to study. Don’t just use ones that are available online. The act of making the cards is the best way to learn the material. It requires writing it, seeing it, interpreting the material into words that make sense to you; and then when you study them, say the words out loud. This incorporates as many senses as possible into the learning process.
When studying, being able to repeat the material 3 times means you know it. So as you go through outlines or flash cards, if you don’t know the content the first time, keep going through it until you’ve gotten it right 3 times.
Don’t over study. Once you know it 3x, stop. You aren’t learning more and you are just adding undo stress.
Start studying a few days ahead of time. Waiting until the last minute often results in increased anxiety that isn’t helpful for learning. Don’t stay up late the night before a test. You need to be rested in order to think clearly and do your best work.
For all ages:
Frequent breaks are needed. It is difficult to focus for extended periods of time. If minds are wandering, then learning isn’t happening. Younger children will need more breaks than older students, but all need them. Activity breaks are the most helpful, waking up the mind and body for learning.
Change locations throughout the day. Being at the same desk/table, or for teens, in the same bed all day gets us stuck in a mental rut. Try to move around the house for different subjects. It’s similar to changing classrooms in school. When it comes time to remember information about different topics, picturing the location where you learned the information helps you remember it.
Hands on learning is the best way to learn. If there are optional projects available to do as a family, try to find time on weekends to fit those in. Learning by doing is proven most effective and results in retaining the information longer.
I hope this information is helpful. If any of it doesn’t make sense when you try to do it, just send me a message and I’ll try to be of assistance. It takes a village to raise a child. There is nothing wrong in asking for help, especially since none of us were prepared for our kids to be receiving their public education at home. And thank you Mrs. Romeo! You taught me how to learn. I wouldn’t be where I am today without you!