How to Help a Child Be a Better Student

Ask your child about school on a daily basis to keep abreast of what's happening in her academic and social life. Sometimes kids are wary of telling their parents about school, sharing their feelings or talking about what makes them anxious. Start conversations for them -- you may be surprised to learn about an embarrassing moment in the lunchroom or a teacher's praise during language arts.

Create a welcoming study space in your home to teach your child to take studying seriously. Help him redecorate his "office" every year, and ensure it is kept clean, comfortable and clutter-free. The perfect study nook should include a comfortable desk, a specially selected desk lamp or reading light, a dictionary, a bulletin board or whiteboard for posting reminders, office supplies, and a few fun, academic knickknacks and some wall art for motivation.

Get organized. Assist your child in checking homework, setting goals and tracking progress. Use a wall calendar, or create your own weekly calendar on a small whiteboard. Teach her how to check off completed tasks, and consider rewarding her for academic success or outstanding progress. Moreover, adopt a color-coded system for organizing subject work, folders and notebooks.

Dive into your child's school life. Email his teachers on a regular basis for updates on academic progress and behavior. Teachers can be extremely busy with sometimes hundreds of students, so be proactive, reaching out every couple of weeks or sooner, especially if your child tends to struggle in school. Ask for updates on classwork, study habits, participation, behavior and organization. If possible, volunteer at school events, and don't be afraid to ask clarifying questions about assignments or grading policies. Seek counseling and tutoring for your child if you see a need for it, put him on a behavior improvement plan or find ways to challenge and reward him.

Incorporate fun academic activities into family time. Know the standards your child must master year by year to help her make plenty of real-life connections. Take a trip to a local zoo if she is studying mammals, or calculate the costs of items in the grocery store to practice addition. If your child is learning about the art of persuasion, ask her to persuade you why she should be allowed to have a later bedtime through an organized paragraph or colorful poster project.

Encourage your child to follow his dreams. Help him find outlets for his passions through extracurricular activities and other means, teaching him to be a fearless go-getter. For instance, if he loves art, encourage him to research careers in art, architecture and graphic design. Ask him to brainstorm 100 ways people use art in their lives. By taking a deeper interest in his hobby, you will encourage him to work hard in school, and he may even stumble upon a great opportunity along the way.