As a parent, you want your child to succeed academically. One of the best ways to help them achieve this is by encouraging active learning strategies. Active learning is a teaching and learning approach that involves students actively participating in the learning process rather than just listening to lectures or reading textbooks.
By engaging in active learning, students can develop a deeper understanding of the concepts and retain them for longer periods.
Here are some effective active learning strategies that you can encourage your child to indulge in.
Group Discussions
Group discussions encourage active participation and collaboration among children, which can lead to a deeper understanding of the concept being discussed. For example, if your child is struggling with a particular math concept, you can gather a small group of his/her classmates who are also struggling with the same topic and facilitate a discussion around the topic. Encourage each child to contribute their thoughts and ideas on solving the problem while providing guidance and support as needed.
Another benefit of group discussions is that they promote critical thinking skills. By encouraging children to share their and others’ opinions and perspectives, they learn to evaluate different viewpoints and develop reasoning skills. This can be especially helpful when discussing ongoing events or social issues.
Experimentation and Hands-On Activities
Experimentation and hands-on activities can help students develop a deeper understanding of various subjects in the curriculum. As a parent, you can encourage your child to engage in these activities at home to complement their classroom learning.
For example, if your child studies science, you can set up simple experiments at home using household items, helping them understand scientific concepts better and making learning fun and engaging.
Similarly, if your child is studying history or social studies, you can plan hands-on activities such as creating a timeline or reenacting historical events.
It is important to note that experimentation and hands-on activities are not limited to certain subjects only. They can be applied across all curriculum areas, including language arts, secondary school subjects and mathematics.
So, let’s say your child is struggling with reading comprehension. You can use interactive reading materials such as picture books or graphic novels to make the learning experience more engaging.
Games
Board, card, video games and physical activities such as tag or hide-and-seek can help students develop their problem-solving skills while reinforcing the concepts they’re learning in Singapore private school.
For example, if your child struggles with math, you can play number recognition games such as Bingo or have them complete simple math challenges to practice their skills.
Considering institutions such as Singapore IB programme that focus on holistic learning, these methods can be especially beneficial for your child’s academic growth.
Creative Writing
Creative writing is a great way to help your child develop their language and literary skills.
Encourage them to write stories or poems using the topics they’re learning in school, as this helps them further engage with the material.
If your child struggles with grammar rules, you can have them create short pieces of writing such as haikus or limericks, which are easier to comprehend and reinforce the concepts they’ve learned in class.
Final Word
As a parent, it is important to provide your child with the tools and resources needed for academic success.
By utilising some of these methods—such as group discussion, experimentation and hands-on activities, games, and creative writing—you can help your child make the most of their learning experience.