The Thriving Kids podcast recently hosted a psychologist who provided nine tips on how children can succeed in school. 

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Now that the school year is in full swing, caregivers could pick up some useful tips from Adam Zamora, PsyD, who recently joined the Thriving Kids podcast to discuss how to help children create good habits, but also when to step back so they can learn on their own.

The podcast included discussion on how to make education an adventure by letting children discover the joy of learning through shared stories, problem-solving activities, and exploring their own ideas. 

Other pointers included building a supportive community by scheduling check-ins with teachers and getting to know classmates’ parents as well as creating good habits – such as setting up a quiet space at home for homework and developing routines where homework comes before other activities, including watching TV. Helping a child organize their backpack and using a calendar to keep track of important school events and assignments were other tips.

Caregivers should celebrate a child’s unique journey and avoid comparing them to other children. Instead, focus on their individual strengths and areas for growth by learning strategies that work best for the child. Lastly, caregivers should seek help if a child is struggling in school.

Thriving Kids host Dave Anderson, PhD, emphasized that school success isn’t about perfection – but instead about effort, routine, and encouragement.

The podcast’s nine tips to help children thrive in school include:

• Make learning fun for children, whether it’s through reading, exploring areas of interest, or exposing them to a variety of opportunities.
• Establish good habits at home, such as creating a dedicated homework space, setting up a planner, helping children organize their backpacks, and offering homework support.
• Teach school skills at home – how to organize, prioritize and plan tasks, set goals, take notes, and study for tests.
• Get involved in your child’s school community and establish an open line of communication with their teacher.
• Give children space. Experience can be the best teacher, so don’t be afraid to let them make mistakes and figure out things on their own.
• Be patient, understanding, and supportive if a child is struggling in school and help them to figure out what they might need to succeed.
• Don’t compare your child to others. Every individual succeeds at their own rate and has unique strengths and challenges.
• Encourage children, but don’t stress them because too much pressure often backfires.
• Focus on effort, not outcomes. Children will grow to be more resilient if their efforts are praised, rather than caregivers focusing on results. Let them know you are proud of them, even if their grades aren’t where you’d like them to be. When they succeed, focus on how effort played an important role.

For more information, read the Thriving Kids newsletter.