Older children and those in primary school may have good decision-making skills, but unfortunately these skills rarely help them to think through and make decisions as well as they can with the help of mum or dad. So, in most cases, parents should give their children guidelines for decision-making. However, too much control often prevents children from developing decision-making skills on their own. As children grow up, parents should play less and less of a managerial role and more of a consultant role.
We asked the trainer which areas parents need to be involved in, as they have a very good influence on their children's education.
- Socialising, spending time together.
Dialogue with your child and taking an interest in his or her achievements and school life is an integral part of his or her education.
- Motivation, motivation, how to motivate.
It's very important for children to know why they are learning, so it's very important to explain it. A motivated child will always be interested in learning and will put in more effort.
- Introducing the child to the regime.
Time management is as important for a child as it is for any adult. It is a kind of "circle of life". The trainer gives the example that a child should know the time, the hour by which he/she has to do his/her homework and chores. In this way, he begins to plan his own activities. Sleep is also very important for all of us, because when we sleep our brains process all the information and when we get up in the morning we are ready to absorb new information again. It is for this reason that a child must know that, for example, he or she must go to bed at 9 p.m., and that it is his or her responsibility and duty to do or not to do homework.
We asked coach Justina to identify three areas where parents should not do and where they should allow children to think for themselves.
- Homework.
The coach mentioned that it is not advisable, and even forbidden, for parents to do the homework for their children, as it is a very big "disservice". Telling a child how to do an exercise or explaining a task does not "rewire" the child's brain and stops the child from thinking independently, so the trainer advises parents to let the child do the homework independently.
- Just penalties and scolding.
You cannot just scold your child, because just like any adult at work, a child needs to be motivated at school. Parents need to discuss with the child his/her obligation to go to school, explain and let him/her know that his/her grades are his/her reward, just as the performance of the parents has a direct impact on his/her salary at work. It is essential to celebrate every good grade, and to have conversations about why a negative grade occurs, to find out why it occurred, and to hear the child's views.
- Abandoned school life.
The coach stresses that parents should visit the school not only during open days or parents' meetings, but also to interact with the teachers and discuss what is happening at school with their child.
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