Every school year has its fill of exams. While scoring well on exams is a big deal, what is more important is how much your child has learnt in that particular topic/subject. Independent learning is the best form of learning for every child as it helps them achieve their future dreams by themselves without being dependent on anything/anyone else.
In this post we look at 7 ways how you can help your child with his/her revision before the exams:
1. Understand the study material given to your child
For a successful revision strategy, the right plan is everything. And for you to make the right plan, it is important that you understand what your child is being tested on. This includes everything from the exam question paper pattern to the important topics that need to be reviewed in that subject. The end goal is to make sure that your child covers all the relevant and necessary material regarding that subject.
2. Make and review the revision plan
Once you know exactly what your child needs to study for the exam, you can start making an exam timetable for him. Although it may seem easier and less time-consuming to do it by yourself, ensure that your child has an equally important role to play in creating the timetable. This way, when the time comes for them to make one for themselves, they have the capability and the practice to make a good revision plan.
Create a revision timetable with your child for better results!
Creating a revision timetable with your child also increases their willingness to stick to their routine. The revision timetable need not cover every second of every day, all it needs to do is have distinct outlines of the times your child will be studying, with emphasis on what he will be studying at what time. Remember to break up large unmanageable chunks of topics into smaller manageable portions that can be revised without unnecessary strain.
3. Try out different revision techniques
There are three globally recognized learning styles, namely- visual, auditory, and kinesthetic. Visual learners and auditory learners learn best through sight and hearing respectively. Kinesthetic learners are those who rely on their sense of touch to learn. Approximately 29% students are visual learners, 34% students are auditory learners, and 37% students are kinesthetic learners.
Some popular visual revision techniques are using post-it notes for important information, using a highlighter, summarizing notes, and drawing pictures & diagrams. Common auditory revision techniques are making rhymes or poems to remember information, playing recordings of revision notes, and asking questions aloud to your child. A few kinesthetic revision techniques include creating revision cards, using the computer to create presentations about topics, and playing revision games on the internet.
There is no universal revision technique, try out new ones for different children!
4. Take a look at previous exam papers
Sometimes working on previous years’ exam papers is the most effective method for a child to revise. These practice tests help your child understand the format of the exam better, and also help them contextualize what they have learnt until now. So find those previous years’ papers and get cracking!
5. Map their progress
It is easy for a child to become overwhelmed when the exams are nearing. With so many topics to revise from, it is essential to keep a visual reminder of how much they have completed and how much is left to be completed. Once each task is done, it can be marked so that your child understands that he finished that particular task. This allows you to keep track of your child’s progress while celebrating the tiny milestones they have achieved in that time.
Use fun alternatives like YouTube to help your children remember new concepts
6. YouTube it
Most kids these days have heard of/used YouTube to browse funny and entertaining videos. So why not use this amazing technology as a revision tool as well? There is an amazing array of educational videos to choose from, so you can easily pick one (or more!) from the topic that your child is preparing on. Such an interactive revision tool will also keep your child on his/her toes keeping them interested in revision.
7. Cut them some slack
Being flexible to your kids’ wishes specially before the exams goes a long way in keeping them motivated to revise. So when your child asks you for a break after an hour of studying, or seems a little moody for some time, don’t stress it. Your child will not always be in the prime mood to study, and that is okay. Try to think of solutions that you can implement to bring your child’s attention back towards studying. Also, when you are helping your child revise, ensure that your attention does not drift towards other things such as household chores. If your attention is elsewhere your child will sense it and it will distract him as well.
When it comes to teaching your child the best revision practices, it is essential to impart good habits at the right age. These revision practices will help your child develop the right approach to learning, and they will stay with him/her for a long time. How do you help your child revise? Do you have any more methods that parents can utilize? Tell us about them in the comments below!
