How to help a first grader study well: Explained in detail

Why does the child lose interest in learning? Is it possible to help a first grader to maintain the initial motivation? Working ways to get your child excited about learning and helpful tips from an education expert.

The first grade is an important stage for the child and parents. Standing on the threshold of the school, the whole family hopes that learning will be easy, and the kid will be happy to go to classes. However, this does not always happen. The period of euphoria from novelty ends, the first grader realizes what a burden of duties has fallen on him, and gradually begins to lose motivation.

Waking up a child in the morning is becoming more and more difficult, and comments from the teacher appear in the diary more and more often. How to avoid such a scenario and help a first-grader study well? I have prepared some recommendations for parents of first graders!

Why does motivation disappear?

A few months ago, the child kept talking about school, tried on the uniform with pleasure and chose stationery, and now he doesn’t want to hear about studying? Let’s see why this could happen:

First grader can’t cope with the study load

In addition to lessons and homework, the student’s schedule includes English lessons with a tutor, dancing and computer courses on weekends. Parents believe that versatile development is good, but the psyche of a first-grader does not agree with them. Of course, it is important to develop talents, but do not forget that the first grade is already the strongest stress for the child, you should not overload the child with additional activities. Adapting to new conditions, maintaining interest in learning and the desire to go to school is easier when the child simply manages to cope with the flow of information;

Bored in class

This can happen for two reasons: the problem is the teacher who can’t keep her attention, or the problem is the child who is too well prepared for the first grade. It happens that in an effort to overtake time and teach a six-year-old to read and write, parents go too far, and then the child simply misses the classroom. He is not interested, because he already knows everything that takes place in the class;

The child is physically tired

Early rises, the road to school, the need to sit still for a long time cause physical discomfort. The child constantly feels tired, it is extremely difficult to keep motivation and desire to study in such a state;

Stress

It is difficult for a child in a competitive environment, especially if something does not work out for him or it turns out worse than other guys. Emotional discomfort caused by a sense of inferiority causes a negative attitude towards learning and school in general.

5 ways to get your child excited about learning

First of all, parents can help first-graders maintain their interest in learning. In advance, you will have to tune in to the fact that participation in the educational life of the child should not be episodic, but regular and systematic.

Create physiologically comfortable conditions

Consider your daily routine. Perhaps the whole family will have to rebuild, but the first grader should get enough sleep and go to bed no later than 21.00. Be sure to ventilate the room, the baby should sleep in a room with fresh air. After school and lunch, rest is required. The ideal option is a walk in the fresh air.

Do not forget about a comfortable workplace – a table, a chair, adjustable for height and anatomical needs. Clothing and shoes should not pull and hinder movement, choose breathable fabrics. It is difficult for a first-grader to sit in one place in a static position; comfortable clothes will help to cope with the task more easily;

Make use of activity peaks

The best time to do homework is when the child is rested and at the peak of activity. Don’t make it to the evening: a tired, sleepy child who is forced to do homework not only loses motivation, but is imbued with an acute unwillingness to learn. Correctly allocate time – games and rest should not fall on periods of energy recovery;

Demonstrate and emphasize the value of knowledge

Give your child the opportunity to apply their knowledge, and be sure to praise him. The child has learned to write – ask him to sign postcards for grandparents for the holiday. Passed on mathematics addition of two-digit numbers? Offer to count how many cakes and juice bags he needs to buy for the upcoming holiday or how much change he should get at the store.

Emphasize what is important, first of all, knowledge, not grades. The practical application of new skills will help you understand why you go to school and how you can benefit from the acquired knowledge. Your goal is to raise an educated person, not an excellent student;

Help, but do not do for the child

Don’t leave your child alone with homework. The first grader must do the homework himself, but parents can explain incomprehensible moments, and simply provide moral support. Encourage independence, do not try to “help and finish quickly” – the baby needs time to figure it out, be patient. Alternate “simple” and “complex” items, easy tasks are best done first.

Take care of study materials

School textbooks are not always exciting enough. It will not be superfluous to pick up additional training materials. Unusual recipes, educational applications for the phone, educational games. Studying not only according to school allowances, the child will not only learn the material, but also learn how to use different sources to obtain information.

Not a single school

To relieve stress, psychologists recommend that parents of younger students carefully consider extracurricular life. Exciting activities, trips, trips to museums, cinema, theaters allow the student to switch and recover after school days. Leisure can also be used to bond with classmates. Organized joint trips to nature, excursions and holidays (birthdays) will help to make friends with the guys, find common interests and usefully spend time.

A one-day trip and even an educational walk around their native area will nourish children with new impressions and diversify their usual routine. Teachers are usually happy to take part in the proposed activities.

Be empathetic. When a child says that he is tired and wants to be at home on the weekend, listen to his desires. A busy life is good, but sometimes just watching cartoons is also necessary. Remember that it is easier to motivate a person to learn in a state of emotional and physiological comfort.

Conclusion

Problems with loss of motivation are a common story for a first grader, in most cases it is a natural reaction to stress. It is possible and necessary to fight the reluctance to learn. Responsible parents should notice in time that the student is losing interest, and ideally, prevent such a situation by thinking through the strategy of the first school year in advance. Get ready for the upcoming school in advance, and the new stage in the child’s life will be a joy for the family!