10 Ways to Improve a Child’s Academic Performance

Many children face challenges in achieving academic success due to a lack of study skills, difficulties with concentration, or inadequate support at home. Parents can significantly support their child’s academic performance by implementing effective strategies and offering consistent encouragement.

This guide outlines practical steps on how to improve child academic performance through structured study routines, supportive communication, and proactive involvement in their educational journey. These efforts can cultivate a child’s positive attitude toward education and achieve better results.

1. Establish a Consistent Study Routine

A consistent study routine promotes the development of good habits, enhances organisational skills, and boosts productivity. Moreover, a structured routine fosters stability and security for effective time management.

This practice supports academic success and improves overall health by ensuring adequate rest, which is vital for physical and mental well-being. Parents should also remind children of their academic goals to help them stay committed to the learning plan.

2. Communicate with Your Children and Educators

Effective communication between parents, children, and educators is crucial in improving academic performance. The specific strategies to establish clear communication for both aspects include:

Communicating with Children
- Choose the right time: Talk to your child when you have their full attention. Preferably, wait until you are home and can engage in a focused discussion.
- Begin with positives: Start the conversation by acknowledging your child’s strengths and accomplishments. For example, mention how well they did on a recent project before discussing areas needing improvement.
- Use concrete examples: Provide specific instances to help your child understand your feedback. Instead of saying, “You need to do better in math”, say, “I noticed you struggled with the multiplication section on your last test”.

2. Communicate with Your Children and Educators

Stimulate dialogue: Approach conversations as a dialogue, encouraging your child to express their thoughts and perspectives. Understand their needs and concerns to foster mutual understanding and constructive communication.
Set clear goals: Establish achievable goals together. For instance, if your child needs to improve their reading skills, set a goal of reading for 20 minutes each day.
Follow up regularly: Maintain ongoing communication to monitor progress. If necessary, adjust goals and strategies based on your child’s improvement.
Communicating with Educators
- Schedule appointments: Instead of impromptu chats during drop-off or pick-up times, schedule a formal meeting to ensure meticulous preparation between both parties for productive discussion.
- Prepare in advance: Before the meeting, organise your thoughts and list specific concerns or questions. For instance, if your child is struggling with science, note down specific topics or concepts causing difficulties.

Communicate clearly: Express your concerns and observations concisely and provide examples. For example, mention specific incidents of your child struggling with homework.
Collaborate on solutions: Work with the teacher to develop a plan of action. For example, if your child struggles in math, set incremental goals such as improving test scores by practising specific problems at home.

3. Create Academic Expectations

Regarding how to improve child academic performance, parents should set clear and realistic academic goals that align with their child’s strengths and challenges. Here are some aspects that can suggest parents adjust their expectations of their children’s academic performance:

Recognise individuality: Each child develops at their own pace. Set expectations based on their unique strengths and challenges rather than in comparison to peers. For example, if your child excels in reading but struggles with math, set separate goals that reflect these differences.
Avoid projecting your challenges: Do not let your academic struggles influence your child’s expectations. If you found math difficult, acknowledge that your child might have a different experience and could excel in it. Boost their enthusiasm and provide support based on their strengths.

Offer enthusiastic support: Support your child’s efforts with genuine enthusiasm. Instead of only pointing out areas needing improvement, celebrate their successes and progress. If your child improves their test score, acknowledge this effort enthusiastically.
Set realistic expectations: Ensure your goals are achievable and appropriate for your child’s current capabilities. For example, if your child is learning to write, set a goal of writing a paragraph rather than an entire essay.
Accept and support through challenges: Understand that setbacks are part of learning. When your child struggles, provide support and encouragement rather than viewing it as a failure. Help them understand that challenges are growth opportunities.

4. Support Children’s Homework

Parents can implement various strategies for improving child academic performance. Here are specific tips on how to improve child academic performance:

Create a dedicated homework space: Establish a well-lit, comfortable, and quiet area free from distractions like TV or video games. Equip the space with essential supplies such as pens, pencils, paper, calculators, and a dictionary. A high-traffic area like the kitchen is ideal for younger children, allowing for supervision and encouragement.
Teach organizational skills: Motivate your child to use organisational tools like calendars, assignment notebooks, and planners to keep track of homework tasks. Ensure they write down assignments clearly and entirely and regularly check their work. Use a pocket folder or binder section specifically for completed homework.

Provide guidance without doing the work: Support your child by discussing concepts and offering guidance, but avoid giving answers or completing assignments. Inspire them to re-read chapters, attempt problems independently, and review their work for accuracy. Use phrases like, “Let’s read this together” to foster self-sufficiency.
Address homework meltdowns calmly: If your child becomes overwhelmed, respond calmly and validate their feelings. Suggest short breaks for movement or deep breaths before returning to the task. Identify potential triggers, such as challenging assignments or looming deadlines and provide targeted support.
Highlight real-world applications: Relate academic concepts to real-life scenarios. For instance, show how math skills are used in budgeting or cooking and connect historical events to current news. This helps children understand the relevance of their homework and view it as an opportunity to build valuable skills.

5. Hire an Online Tutor

To enhance child academic performance, parents can consider hiring an online tutor who can provide targeted educational support. Here are key tips:

Seek recommendations: Ask other parents or trusted sources for recommendations based on their experiences with online tutors. First-hand insights can help select a tutor who aligns well with your child’s needs and learning style.
Set your budget: Determine your budget for online tutoring services. When evaluating costs, consider factors like the tutor’s experience and availability. Ensure the chosen tutor offers a balance of affordability and quality instruction.

Assess experience and qualifications: Verify the tutor’s background and expertise in the subject matter. Look for educators with relevant teaching experience and qualifications that match your child’s educational requirements. A tutor’s proficiency directly impacts your child’s learning outcomes.
Consider online tutoring agencies: Explore online tutoring agencies that vet their tutors rigorously. These agencies often have a diverse pool of qualified educators across various subjects. They conduct thorough background checks to ensure high standards of teaching quality and reliability.
Request progress reports: Choose an online tutor who provides regular progress reports. Monitoring your child’s development ensures transparency and adjusts tutoring strategies as needed. Effective communication between tutor, student, and parent facilitates optimal learning outcomes.

6. Limit Your Child’s Screen Time

Parents can limit their child’s screen time to help them focus more on academic performance. The practical tips to gradually separate your child from electronic devices include:

Set clear expectations: Establish rules and goals to reduce screen time with your child. This is how parents affect children’s academic performance at home. Utilise device features that allow setting time limits to enforce boundaries effectively.
Start gradually: If your child spends excessive time on screens, set achievable goals. Instead of making drastic cuts immediately, start by gradually reducing their screen time.

Engage in face-to-face time: Dedicate quality time after school or work to engage in face-to-face conversations with your child. This fosters better communication and strengthens family bonds without reliance on screens.
Designate screen-free zones: Create areas in the home, such as dining or family rooms, where screens are not allowed. This will stimulate meaningful interactions and reduce distractions during meals and family time.
Establish device-free hours: Designate specific times or hours during the day as screen-free, encouraging activities like outdoor play or reading instead.

7. Engage Child’s Physical Exercises

Incorporating regular physical exercises improves child academic performance. Physical activity enhances cognitive skills and academic behaviour, fostering a conducive environment for learning.

Encourage everyday opportunities: Ensure your child has daily chances for physical activity, whether dancing indoors, playing with balls outdoors, or engaging in active games they enjoy.
Utilise available spaces: Use any space for physical play, whether at home, in parks, community centres, or with friends. Provide opportunities for diverse physical activities to keep them engaged and active.

Allocate dedicated time: Adjust your family schedule to prioritise active playtime with your child, such as visiting parks or playing sports together. Incorporate physical activities into daily routines to make it a consistent part of their day.
Offer variety in activities: Introduce activities like climbing, cycling, or ball games to keep your child interested and physically active. Explore different options based on their interests to maintain enthusiasm and skill development.
Walk together: Take regular walks with your child, whether to school, around the neighbourhood, or on nature trails. Walking promotes physical health and provides valuable opportunities for bonding and exploration.

8. Find Appropriate Play-Based Learning Activities

Regarding how to improve child academic performance, engaging in play-based learning activities is beneficial. Here are effective strategies parents can use:

Sand play: Utilize sand play to teach scientific concepts and promote physical development. Scooping, pouring, and sifting enhance muscle coordination and teamwork skills.
Water play: Encourage water play for experimenting with concepts like volume and understanding cause-and-effect relationships. It also enhances hand-eye coordination and physical strength.

8. Find Appropriate Play-Based Learning Activities

Play dough: Play dough strengthens fine motor skills and creativity. Threading beads or shaping the dough with tools supports hand-eye coordination and cognitive development.
Dress-up and role play: Dress-up activities foster imagination and social skills. Role-playing as doctors, chefs, or astronauts helps children explore different roles and understand societal roles and responsibilities.
Doll and character play: Provide dolls and mini-figures to promote storytelling and emotional expression, which supports social interaction and helps children develop empathy and communication skills.

9. Encourage Your Child Properly

When considering how to improve child academic performance, it’s vital to encourage them effectively.

Avoid labels: Highlight your child’s strengths when acknowledging their efforts in tasks. For example, instead of praising an A grade, discuss how their attention to detail contributed to their success.
Ask thoughtful questions: Rather than making statements, ask open-ended questions to prompt reflection on how they achieved a task or their feelings about a project.

Be honest and authentic: Avoid empty praise and be genuine in your feedback. Children appreciate honesty and respond better to sincere and specific feedback.
Shift pronouns: Encourage your child to take pride in their accomplishments by shifting the focus from “I” statements to “You” statements.
Focus on the journey: Recognise and celebrate when your child meets or exceeds expectations. For instance, if they achieve a high grade in a challenging subject, celebrate their hard work and dedication.

10. Teach Your Children About Respect and Discipline

On how to improve child academic performance, parents can teach them respect and discipline.

Model behaviour: Through your actions and words, demonstrate respectful behaviour and discipline. Children learn by observing, so showing respect in interactions with others sets a powerful example.
Impose consequences: Clearly communicate consequences for misbehaviour and follow through consistently. For instance, explain that toys will be put away if not cleaned up as agreed, and stick to this consequence to reinforce responsibility.

10. Teach Your Children About Respect and Discipline

Listen and understand: Allow your child to express themselves fully before addressing issues. Understanding their perspective helps address underlying causes of misbehaviour rather than just reacting to it.
Give attention wisely: Use attention strategically to reinforce positive and discourage negative behaviours. Positive attention for good behaviour can be more effective than negative attention for bad behaviour.
Know when to ignore: Ignore minor misbehaviour that is not dangerous and ensure your child receives attention primarily for positive behaviours. This approach helps children learn natural consequences and self-regulation.

How Can UNIS Hanoi Improve Child’s Academic Performance?

UNIS Hanoi offers a comprehensive academic programme that prioritises each student’s needs and capabilities, grounded in local and international educational perspectives. As a three-programme IB World School, we are dedicated to fostering excellent learning experiences where students extend their thinking, reflect on their learning, and engage actively in a supportive environment.

Based on the International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme from Early Years to Grade 12, our curriculum emphasises developing critical skills and global citizenship, preparing students to connect classroom learning with real-world challenges.

Apply now to UNIS Hanoi and discover how to improve child academic performance with a world-class education!