Wenn das Lernen schwierig wird

Ten FIT-Z tips for school parents

1. Rules and rituals help:

Boundaries and fixed routines don't just restrict; they also provide stability. That makes it easier for children to devote themselves to school if they reserve a specific time each day for work. Afterwards there should, however, be genuine free time. A daily shared family meal can also be part of these rituals.

2. Learning to learn:

Sing and dance English vocabulary or draw pictures to go with it, create a memory card for genetics, invent a memory game for the details of the French Revolution. Learning is easier with varied techniques. Also important: avoid distractions from the mobile phone, younger siblings or other 'troublemakers', and when facing a mountain of work, take breaks.

3. Another bad grade?

Instead of scolding, parents should comfort. Accusations don't help the child. It's better to ask the youngster about the reasons and for their suggestions on how to get better grades in the future. That could be tutoring, extra study time or learning software. Parents should not let themselves be brushed off if the child blames the teacher for their failure. The child must take responsibility themselves.

4. Motivation as the key to success:

For frustrated children to approach school with energy and perseverance, they need a motivational boost that parents can initiate. One of the miracle cures is praise. So mum or dad may well acknowledge it when the youngster, instead of dawdling, gets on with their homework promptly. Or when they improve from a '5' to a '4'. In addition, success experiences in sports or another hobby help prevent self-esteem from plummeting.

Kinder zum Lernen motivieren | Mutter und Tochter sitzen entspannt auf der Couch und lachen

5. Abitur or rather happy?

If the child, despite all efforts, isn't getting anywhere, an honest assessment helps: perhaps they're overwhelmed at their current school? School counseling can help. If the Gymnasium (academic secondary school) is the problem: children can find their way even without the Abitur.

6. Honestly

.... If parents are worried, they're allowed to say so. Ultimately it's about making their child fit for an independent, happy life. It's normal that mothers and fathers don't always know what they can already trust their child with and what not. Despite all uncertainty: the child deserves trust and will do everything to live up to it.

7. Teenagers are 'freedom fighters':

They are practising for adulthood and detach from their parents in small steps, which makes letting go difficult for the parents. Despite their prickliness, children need support, backing and the assurance that mum and dad's love isn't tied to grades. The recommendation: don't impose when there are problems, but show openness and interest and stay in conversation.

8. 'Closed for renovation':

During the teenage years the brain reorganizes itself. This reordering in the head also affects the brain area responsible for planning, risk assessment and evaluation. During the restructuring phase young people, for example, have problems behaving rationally, understanding messages or 'reading' emotions. That explains a lot, doesn't it?

9. Understanding for 'night owls':

The school start times in Germany make it hard for teens to be fully alert in class early in the morning. During puberty the sleep hormone melatonin is released later. That is why children have so much trouble getting to bed in the evening and just as much trouble getting up in the morning.

10. When it's the 'no-motivation' phase:

Experienced teachers know that from around the middle of 7th grade students become more difficult: unfocused, unmotivated. Sometime in 9th grade the turmoil subsides: grades improve again, children become more agreeable. Parents should not take provocative behavior personally. Children seek a strong counterpart to rub against. And they do that where they feel the most impact.