show your kids how to study: 5 easy ways

One thing I have come to realize, after years of teaching and tutoring, is that kids really don’t know how to study.

We may tell them to study before a test or quiz, but that doesn’t mean they know what that really means.

Their teachers remind them to study, but that doesn’t mean that kids really will.

Kids may believe they know how to study, but I’m willing to bet that they honestly have no clue.

It’s time, with the start of a new school year, that parents actually sit down with their children and talk to them about what studying really means and how to do it.

Grab a pen or paper. Grab some Post-it® Super Sticky Notes. Grab a highlighter.

Review these strategies yourself, and then grab your kid and share with him or her.

Here are five easy ways that parents, today, can show their kids how to study.

It’s not rocket science, but it’s worth repeating.

Here’s the skinny. . .

Show Your Kids How to Study–5 Easy Ways:

Did you know that in a Back-to-School STEM Research Study, recently conducted by the Post-it® Brand, it was reported that 79% of parents believe their students’ homework is harder now than it was when they were in school?

Is that true for you? Do you believe that homework is harder now? If that’s a fact, then our kids need more help than we got. Let’s give it to them.

1. Re-write notes.

When students re-write notes in neater, more easy-to-read bits, it helps them to better understand the concepts they’re learning.

Oftentimes, students’ notes are a mess and are taken in haste in class.

Start by gathering all of the papers with notes on them. Read over them to get a sense of what was discussed, and highlight or circle the main points.

Consider grabbing a Post-it® Flag–how fun are the bright colors of the World of Color Rio de Janeiro collection?!–and use them to easily mark each important point.

Then re-write the notes on a fresh sheet of paper in a more organized way. It will help!

2. Make a concept poster.

A concept poster is just that–a poster all about a certain topic.

Start again by gathering all of the papers and handouts on the topic. Write the main concept in the middle of the poster, and then add information about it all around, much like a brainstorm web but more organized and specific.

Once the poster is complete, use Post-it® Super Sticky Notes to cover areas with details. Then test your knowledge on a topic by trying to remember the information that is covered. It’s a great way to practice and learn!

Another finding from the Post-it® Brand Back-to-School STEM research study found that 54% of parents think that students learn most easily by touching or participating in a hands-on activity. The creation of this poster during studying will certainly help bring the concepts to life.

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3. Re-teach. It’s undeniable that students learn by doing.

Reading over notes and having the student re-teach concepts to a parent or sibling is a super way for the student to show their level of understanding.

Have students review notes first and then take the mic.  Write key vocabulary words or concepts on Post-it® Super Sticky Notes, place them on the refrigerator or wall, and have the student explain them to you.

You may be surprised at what you learn!

4. Make flashcards–and use them!

It’s one thing to make flashcards, but it’s a whole other thing to use them.

Make flashcards by cutting a piece of paper into eight small sections. You can do this easily by folding an 8 1/2″ x 11″ sheet in half, in half again, and then in half again. 

Write key vocabulary words or concepts on one side of the paper and the definition on the other side.

Or if you just need a way to study specific words on the go, write each word on a Post-it® Super Sticky Note and stick them together. Students can flip through the pages anywhere and any time for a quick review!

If you decided on making flash cards of any sort, here are a few ways to actually use them:

• Quick Quiz: Put all of the cards in a pile with the word facing up.  Have the student say the definition of the word then check for accuracy. Put all of the cards the student got correct in one pile, under a Post-it® Super Sticky Note with ‘yes’ or a smiley face and the incorrect ones in another pile, under ‘no’ or a sad face. Review the incorrect ones until they are all answered correctly.

• Speed Write: The parent holds the cards and shows a card to the student. The student then writes the answer or definition on a white board or chalk board. The parent checks for accuracy, and the goal is to answer as many correctly in a certain timeframe as possible.

• Reverse It: Put all of the cards in a pile with the definition facing up.  Have the student determine the word then check for accuracy. Put all of the cards the student got correct in one pile and the incorrect ones in another pile. Have the student review the incorrect ones until they are all answered correctly.

• Game Show: The parent reads the definition of the word, and the student writes the correct word on a Post-it® Super Sticky Notes then places the Post-it® Super Sticky Notes on the wall. Once the student has gone through all words one time correctly, there should be quite a collage of words on the wall! As extra review, the parent reads the definitions again, and the student simply points to the correct word.

5. Comic strip your notes.

Some kids learn best by drawing, so this method is for him or her.

In fact, another finding from the Post-it® Brand Back-to-School STEM research study found that 86% of parents think the best way for their students to learn STEM-subjects is through visual learning, like reading or seeing pictures.

Have the student review class notes and handouts. Then, using either the comic strip concept review here or Post-it® Super Sticky Notes, allow the student to draw out concepts!

It may sound difficult or even impossible, but the act of reading information and transferring it to doodles or pictures will help the student ‘own’ the information and remember it in a new way.

If you want to download the comic strip concept review, you can do so here: comic strip concept review _ teachmama.com

Studying is not easy, friends. It’s really not. But hopefully these few ways will help your child learn how to master a skill necessary for success in school from here on out!

Want all of this information in a happy little printable? Sure you do.
Print it and share it with your child. Keep it on hand for the school year. You’ll be glad you did.

If you want to download the How to Help Your Kids Study sheet, you can do so here: 5 ways to study _ teachmama.com

Want to grab the fun supplies we’ve used in this post? Sure you do.

We used the Post-it® Brand World of Color, Rio de Janeiro collection.  Visit Post-it.com for information on where you can grab these for yourself.

Go ahead and get connected with the great folks at Post-it® Brand: Twitter  | Instagram | Facebook  | Pinterest

fyi: This post was written as part of a partnership with Post-it® Brand, but as always, opinions and ideas are all my own, influenced only by my experience as a parent and educator.