Most good students aren’t born good learners. A successful experience in school is not only about report cards. There is so much to think about each school year, but above all else, these simple rules can help keep you focused on what’s most important for school success. Ideally, your child will learn how to learn, retain information, think independently, ask questions and develop an increasing sense of competence. 

Children can fear failure so much that when something goes wrong, they give up rather than having another go. This can lead to a situation where they avoid learning. If you want to really enhance a child’s desire and ability to learn, develop an atmosphere reading. Some people would argue that reading it the key to success in life. We would most certainly argue that at minimum reading is a key to success in learning. Help your child develop reading skills and a love for reading by filling his world with reading. 

Create a family reading time where everyone focuses on reading for 20 minutes a day. Show enthusiasm for your child’s interests and encourage her to explore subjects that fascinate them. Make sure your child knows that it is safe to fail. No one learns without failing first. The only way you can develop a new skill is by passing through a period of doing poorly, then gradually improving. If your child is afraid to fall because she fears ridicule or disapproval, she will learn much less than the child who is bold and brave enough to learn new skills. 

Instead of comparing your child to the rest of the class, get used to measure them against their own progress. Encourage your child or student to express his / her opinion about what’s going on with his education.  Create an open atmosphere where he feels comfortable expressing his likes, dislikes or concerns. Good learners know their opinion matters and feel reassured that they can be open about their educational experience without being judged, put down, discouraged or ignored. Value Goals over Grades. 

Make learning fun through game-based learning. Game-based learning is not a new concept. It’s been around for a long time. Game-based learning can be very advantageous for many reasons. Using games as an educational tool, not only provides opportunities for deeper learning and development of non-cognitive skills, it helps motivate children to want to learn.

Turning every day into a learning day may sound like a bit much, but it really isn’t, if you go about it the right way. Whenever possible, encourage your child to explore the world around him, ask questions and make connections. Help your child to categorize, classify, and thinking critically about what he sees and experiences.