By Hamed Albiek, M.D.

 The second semester of school is here. Is Johnny still having a hard time doing his homework? Maybe he prefers to watch TV, play outside or on his computer, or just wander around the house—anything but do his nightly assignments. Both you and his teacher want to do something to help him improve his performance; after all, he’s a very bright child. But what should you do?

Parents constantly want to know what they can do to help their child succeed. Children learn through imagination and curiosity, and we can make learning more enjoyable by encouraging both traits. Educational success begins at home, as early as infancy. By reading to our babies, toddlers, and preschoolers, we plant the seeds of knowledge, but that alone is not enough. We need to water those learning seeds daily to encourage good growth. There are many simple things that can make a difference in your child’s attitude toward learning.

First and most importantly, no matter how busy we are, we must spend time with our children. When children get enough positive parental interaction at home, they develop a better sense of self-esteem, self-worth, and self-confidence. These desirable attributes will help your child during the school years and throughout his life as a more effective, productive, and positive adult.

Focus on communication. Talk to your children about the importance of hard work and education. Ask your children questions. Ask them to tell you about what they are learning in school or religious education, about something you’ve seen together on TV, about the news of the day, or about something you observe as your car passes by an event or interesting place. Ask questions that require more than a “yes” or “no” answer. Then listen to their answers, and follow up by asking more questions. This teaching method dates back to the ancient Greek philosopher, Socrates, and has the advantage of being both cost-free and independent of a specific setting—it can be done at anytime, anywhere.

Reading is essential. Research has repeatedly demonstrated that children who read well and who enjoy reading do better academically than their peers who do not. To build this lifelong habit, read to your children, read with your children, and ask your children to read to you. Let your children see you and your spouse reading books, periodicals, and newspapers. Take your children to the library or bookstore and help them choose age-appropriate books. Get your child his or her own library card and use it frequently.

Help your child with his or her homework, but don’t do it for him. Establish a daily routine for homework that includes a set time and place to work. Make sure that distractions are minimized (turn off the TV!) and that lighting is good. Help your child organize his or her time and reward their efforts. If you see your child struggling with a particular concept, use the question-answer method to see where the problem lies. Help your child break problem subjects or concepts down into smaller parts that are more manageable. Be available for questions and look over assignments for completeness and obvious errors.

Pay attention to your child’s physical condition—it can affect school performance. Be alert for signs of fatigue, which may indicate your child is involved in too many activities. Make sure children eat nutritious meals to promote good brain health, and establish family rules and routines that provide a predictable schedule and allow enough time for sleep (depending on the age of the child, 9-10 hours per night is best).

Finally, encourage your child to think about the future. Be realistic in your expectations for your children—don’t set the bar too low or too high. Praise your child when expectations are met, and encourage them to try again when they fail. For our children to learn and strive, they need educational opportunities in the school and community, but home is the central stage where education begins and where the value of education is emphasized. Don’t just teach your child facts; teach them to love to learn!

Hamed Albiek, M.D., joined The Pediatric Group in 1995 after completing his pediatric residency at Children’s Hospital of Oklahoma. He is a native of Aleppo, Syria, and graduated from the Faculty of Medicine, Aleppo University, in 1990. Dr. Albiek lives with his wife and twin sons in Oklahoma City where he enjoys gardening and new technology.