How to help your child perform better in school?

Back to school! As your child picks up the school bag, rushes towards the school gate, stops a moment, turns back to look at you and waves 'bye'...your heart thumps with ample love and delightful expectations. Hold on.....your child is doing her job. Are you doing yours? Are you aware of the fact that small help from you can help her take a big leap?

Here are few tips to help your child perform better at school.

1. Make attending school and doing school work a fun theme for your children.

Tell them stories about how you enjoyed school when you were a kid, how your teachers were proud of you...etc. Cook up stories if needed. Give only positive examples.

2. Decrease stress to children.

Stress can be from anything...like distant school, too many after school activities, intense tuition, forcing children to eat what they don't like, insulting them, comparing with other children, screaming at them, arguments at home, etc.

3. Identify your child's potential and uplift that. Identify weaknesses also..but never mention them to the child. Instead, tackle them with conscious effort without letting the child know. Take help of your child's teacher or school counsellor if need be.

4. Identify physical ailments early with the help of pediatrician. Simple problems like iron deficiency anemia, thyroid problems and vitamin D deficiency can lead to low IQ and poor memory.

5. Identify mental health ailments early and make effort to correct them. More often than not, it is the teacher who picks up such issues. Many parents are reluctant to take advice in such matters and by the time they realize their mistake, the damage is already done. Children with attention deficit, hyperactiveness, dyslexia, perception disorders and learning disabilities perform well when

interventions are started early. Don't wait for 10th class to make amendments!

6. Give a balanced diet. Avoid junk. Give lots of liquids to flush out toxins which are detrimental for health and memory. Fruits and green leafy vegetables are rich in antioxidants and aid in performance. Almonds are walnuts are good for concentration. Protein rich foods are essential for performance in sports.

7. Give the child some memory exercises every day. Teach the child to practice and revise. Help her inculcate that habit by telling her your childhood stories. Practice what you preach. Hard working, good behavior, diligence, consistency and moral values come from parents.

8. Restrict digital media use. Traditional learning methods using text books and discussion continue to be important. They enhance memory, imagination and presentation.