At Dide.org, we are passionate about education and the development of new generations. Therefore, we want to share with you the main study techniques and habits recommended by experts so that your children can achieve academic success from an early age.
Multiple investigations have shown that effective study techniques and habits are essential for academic success. In this sense, families and educators can play an important role in helping children develop these skills:
– The study conducted by the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) in 2020, “The effect of learning strategies on the performance of PISA 2018 students,” highlighted that students who reported using more effective learning strategies, such as creating outlines, creating summaries, and managing time, obtained significantly higher scores on the PISA tests in reading, mathematics, and science.
– The meta-analysis conducted by the University of California, San Diego, “Metacognition Strategies and Academic Performance” indicated that students who learn to use metacognition strategies, such as planning, monitoring, and evaluating their own learning, obtain better grades and have greater self-confidence.
Spanish students develop study habits during their primary and secondary education. These habits include time management, concentration, note-taking, task planning, and regular review of the material.
To generate study habits, it is necessary to consider time management, planning and scheduling, spacing and repetition, interleaving, self-testing, minimizing distractions, taking advantage of mistakes, diversifying methods, and it is necessary to take care of sleep hygiene and sleep the appropriate hours.
When we talk about success, we must give importance to the culture of effort in the field of Education, which promotes fundamental values such as perseverance, discipline, and responsibility. In this sense, study techniques play a fundamental role. It is important to highlight that the culture of effort not only benefits academic performance but also prepares students to face challenges in their professional lives.
Study techniques
- Active reading
Encouraging active reading in children from an early age will help them improve their understanding and retention of information. This implies reading attentively and thoughtfully, underlining the main ideas, taking notes, and making summaries.
- Elaboration of outlines and mind maps
These visual tools are excellent for organizing information and better understanding the relationships between concepts.
- Study cards
Study cards are an effective way to memorize key information. On them, you can write down the main concepts, definitions, formulas, or any other relevant data.
- Memorization techniques
There are various memorization techniques that can be useful for children, such as the loci technique, spaced repetition, or acronyms.
- Problem solving
The practice of problem-solving is essential to develop critical thinking and mathematical skills. You can use problems from textbooks, educational games, or real-life situations.
Study habits
- Establish a study schedule
It is important that children have a regular study schedule, which includes time for reading, doing homework, and reviewing. This schedule should be flexible and adapt to the needs of each child.
- Create a suitable study environment
The study place should be quiet, orderly, and well-lit. It is important to eliminate distractions, such as television, mobile phones, or video games.
- Encourage motivation
Motivation is essential for learning. Parents can help foster motivation by setting realistic goals, praising the child’s achievements, and creating a positive learning environment.
- Develop self-assessment strategies
It is important that children learn to evaluate their own progress. This will help them identify their strengths and weaknesses and adjust their study strategies accordingly.
How can we help them? Recommendations for families
- Get involved in children’s learning
Parents should get involved in their children’s learning in various ways, such as reading with them, helping them with their homework, or talking to them about what they are learning in school.
- Communicate with teachers
It is important for parents to communicate with their children’s teachers to know their progress and how they can help them at home.
- Create a positive learning environment
Families can create a positive learning environment at home by encouraging their children to be curious, ask questions, and explore their interests.
- Celebrate achievements
It is important to celebrate the achievements of children, both large and small. This will help them feel proud of themselves and motivate them to continue learning.
- Stimulate persistence and effort
Congratulate your child from an early age for the time, effort, and dedication in carrying out their tasks and achieving their goals by putting work and effort into it.
In short, study techniques and habits are essential for the academic success of children. Parents can and should play an important role in helping their children develop these skills from an early age. We encourage you to listen to our Doctor of Psychology, Nuria Ros, on La Tarde con Marina to expand the information on the subject. At Dide.org, we are experts in detecting educational, emotional, and behavioral potential and difficulties early on in order to intervene. You can access the diagnostic tool at this link.
