Introduction:
Every parent desires their child to excel in school and make the most out of their educational experience. However, success in education is not determined solely by the number of hours spent studying. Maximizing learning retention is crucial, and in this blog, we will explore effective strategies to ensure your child retains 90% of what they learn at school.
Learning retention is a critical indicator of learning success, and without it, learners will be unable to apply their knowledge. A failure to retain information in the long term is known as the forgetting curve. Although creativity is an essential aspect of education, most of the world’s educational systems are based on reading, observing, and listening. As a result of this, learners retain only 10-30% of the material, and they forget the rest. Their attention spans are incredibly short, and they cannot focus on one activity for an extended period. Retention can be increased by up to 90% by involving children in practical work, discussions, and teaching.
Parents should stay updated with the information shared by the school and maintain communication with their children’s teachers. Additionally, they should inquire about their children’s progress and assignments. Asking these simple questions can help children focus on learning rather than memorising.
1. Determine your child’s most alert and attentive time:
To study smarter, not harder, you must know when your child is most alert and focused. This varies from child to child. By understanding the optimal study time, you can choose a time when it is easiest to concentrate. Don’t waste time studying when your child is exhausted or distracted, as you’re more likely to waste time than learn anything.
2. Focus on one topic at a time:
Some topics require an extreme amount of focus to fully understand. Jumping from subject to subject will dilute your efforts and limit your ability to retain information. Avoid this habit at all costs. When studying, complete one thing at a time. Putting too many tasks on your plate will lead to feeling overwhelmed.
3. Write it down:
Writing uses a different part of the brain than reading. This means that when you take the time to write down a concept during or after reviewing the material, you’ll cover the concept a second time.
4. Connect to a real-life scenario:
Most learners struggle with staying focused on uninteresting topics. To combat this, try to make the topic personal by connecting it to a real-life scenario. One way to personalize a topic is to focus on how it will be applied in your child’s career.
5. Use mnemonic devices:
Mnemonics are tools that help you remember facts, large amounts of information, and retain information. They help stimulate memory through songs, pictures, acronyms, rhymes, or other devices.
6. Avoid distractions:
Texting, social media, calls, and other distractions that come from electronic devices are some of the biggest barriers to staying focused when studying. Luckily, the fix is easy and totally within your control. Unplug yourself. Turn off the phone, silence it, or switch it to airplane mode. Stay attentive and create a productive learning environment with your child.
7. Promote a healthy lifestyle:
Physical well-being is closely tied to cognitive functioning. Ensure your child gets adequate sleep, eats a balanced diet, and engages in regular physical activity. A healthy lifestyle positively impacts concentration, memory, and overall academic performance.
8. Make it a habit:
Forming a new habit is all about repetition. Find a time and place to sit together and build it into your schedule every day. Prioritize your time by listing the top things you need to accomplish with your child and block off the appropriate amount of time for each. Be ruthless with your schedule and hold yourself accountable to your timelines.
Conclusion:
At Athena Global School, we teach various strategies to help students enhance their learning retention and achieve success. It’s important to keep in mind that every child is unique and has their own learning style and preferences. Therefore, we tailor our teaching methods accordingly. A holistic approach that includes a conducive environment, active learning, and a healthy lifestyle will help your child retain 90% of what they learn.at school.
Author: Mrs.Krithiga Sathyasheel, Primary Coordinator, Athena Global School, Chennai
