12 Reasons To Invest In Your Child’s Education
There is no doubt that the affects of COVID- 19 on children’s schooling this year have been unprecedented. Pre-lockdown, less than 1% of students in the UK were home educated; who would have thought that it would become the norm? Many parents have been more involved in their child’s education that ever before and as 2020 draws to a close we have been thinking about how we can help parents keep up the momentum that will be needed to overcome learning loss. We have compiled 12 tips, appropriate for all ages, and are confident that if you focus on one of these a month, you will see a positive impact on your child’s attainment.
1. The importance of building resilience. 2020 has been testing for us all. Helping your child to build resilience can make a huge difference to their academic capabilities. Read how here.
2. The power of parental engagement. Showing an interest in your son or daughter’s work will reap dividends. We explain several of the most important things you can do as a parent to help your child thrive at school.
3. Homework can be happy. Whatever age your child is, reinforcing his or her learning at home and keeping tabs on homework will help them excel academically. This year we ran a blog series and webinar, ‘Happy Homework’ that provides information and practical tips for parents.
4. Did you know about executive functions? Every child’s brain works differently to their peers. An understanding of executive functions could be key to unlocking your son or daughter’s potential. Read more here.
5. Professional support will reduce stress. Fear of the pandemic, missing friends and worrying about exams has significantly increased stress on children. During the recovery period, for many children just knowing they have a ‘go to’ friendly teacher, private tutor or mentor for a tricky subject can make all the difference.
6. Planning for university starts early. This is particularly true of Russell Group and Oxford or Cambridge universities. You can read our guide on how to prepare for applications to Oxford, Cambridge and other Russell Group Universities here.
7. Avoid unnecessary academic pressure. We advise parents to prepare for entrance examinations such as the 11+ and 13+ at least one year in advance.
8. Is your child attending the right school for them? Not every school will be right for every child. You may feel that changes are needed at your child’s current school or you may be considering the move to a new school. In either case, our Education Consultants support families at every step. Read our advice on choosing a school here.
9. Preparing to move from state to private? A local primary school and private secondary school is a popular route for many families. Parents regularly ask us, if and when to move, and how to ensure their child will meet the required independent school standards. We give advice here.
10. The importance of reading. Reading to your child when they are younger and then encouraging independent reading is paramount to good performance at school and in entrance examinations. You can read our ‘Best books for children’ blog here and, ‘How to encourage a reluctant reader’, here.
11. Back to Pen and Paper. Technology has become a big part of children’s learning but handwritten examinations aren’t disappearing anytime soon. For entrance exams and national examinations, your child will need the stamina and fine motor skills to write for long periods of time. Read more about how to improve handwriting here.
12. The Magic of Creative Writing. Although your child might have a particular flair for maths and science, it is important not to neglect creative writing. From entrance exams, to GCSE and A-Levels, children are required to use their imagination and writing skills throughout their education. In the first instance, creative writing can be nurtured at home through short stories and timed practice. Read more here.