By Preeti Narayan


Child education is important for successful future. Hence it is natural to feel worried when our children do not perform well in studies. It is even more natural to glare, scold and shout at them.

But all these actions don't really help to improve children's education. More probably, it will just add to their tensions and problems.

So exactly, what can you do if your children come home with poor report card?

Support. Encourage. Motivate. These are the key words to help children improve their performance.

Also, here are 6 simple education tips to bring faster improvement in your children:

Child Education Tip 1: Don't Attach Negative labels

Do not label your children with degrading titles like: "Stupid," "Lazy," and other negative names which create poor self-image. Firmly believe that your children are capable of achieving anything they really desire.

Child Education Tip 2: Identify Your Children's Problem

Children who don't perform well in studies have some problems. These problems can be solved if identified. To identify problems, observe your children closely and ask them questions. Here are examples of some common problems of children:

" Complaining about classmates/teachers

" Coming from school tired and irritated

" Good in one subject but not in another

" Slow reading and understanding of study material

" Avoiding homework until the last minute

" Finding it difficult to interact with other children and adults

" Spending time on unimportant activities

" Learning little or nothing in class

" Problems with eyesight or hearing

" Not enthusiastic in going to school

" Being disobedient and/or sulky

Once you identify your children's problem related to education, it will become easy for you to think and find solutions for it.

Child Education Tip 3: Puff up Your Children's Self-Confidence

This is one of the best ways to improve your children's performance. Search for some good study habits or skills of your children and talk about it.

No matter how poorly your children are performing right now, there might be some topic or study skill in which they are good.

For example, your son might be good in spelling, or reading or drawing diagrams. Your daughter might be good in math or biology or in remembering formulas. Think about it and praise your children for their good education skills.

Also, search for some education related achievements of your children in the past and discuss it with them. For example, perhaps your son had got 'good' remarks on his science report. Or perhaps your daughter had scored better grades in some subjects last year, or even year before that.

Discuss such past education related success. Remind your children about their achievements, however small it is. This will shift your children's mental focus on their good study skills and on their 'education success.' They will realize that they do have the ability to learn. The power to win.

Tell your children, "If you can learn one thing, you can also learn other things. If you can achieve success once, you can achieve it again." Such words from you will strongly motivate your children to succeed in education.

Child Education Tip 4: Speak With Their Teacher

Meet your children's school or college teachers and discuss your children's performance and education problems with them. Ask them what is wrong with your children, and what you can do to help them improve. Advice and suggestions of teachers will help you immensely.

Child Education Tip 5: Set Achievable Goals

When children have clear goals in their mind, they usually make efforts to study better. Hence encourage your children to set small and reasonable goals for their studies.

For example, if your daughter has scored C grade in math test, she can set a goal to score B grade in next math test. If your son has fallen behind in his History class, then he can set a goal to read two or three history lessons each week, depending upon his speed.

Child Education Tip 6: Keep Your Children Fit

Encourage your children to get some physical exercise like, running, jogging, skipping, cycling, swimming, etc. Exercise improves blood circulation, digestion, and provides more oxygen to brain. This leads to better learning and memory. Ask your children to exercise everyday, or at least five days a week.

Finally, remember what Edison's mother did!

Thomas Edison was labeled as "slow learner" by his teachers. But his mother, Nancy Edison, did not accept her son as 'dull.' She motivated, encouraged, and taught Edison to learn at his own speed and style. And we all know what Edison went on to achieve in his life as a scientist!