Creating a foundation for your child’s study success

To set your children or teens up for success in study, from a young age, form healthy habits around study. These will stick with them throughout their schooling years and into their adult life. Keep it simple and place importance on getting each of these factors in line.

1. Nutrition
Growing bodies and growing minds need a diet clean of processed and sugary foods. Be open with your children and from a young age, speak to them, in their language, about the importance of wholefoods and how they nourish their bodies to make them ‘stronger and work better’.  Processed, sugary lunchbox snacks have been shown to increase hyperactivity, decrease concentration levels and quite simply, not provide little, if any nutritional benefits. Opt for veggies sticks and a little packet of homemade dip or some seeds and nuts to keep them going throughout the day.

2. Sleep
The benefits of a good night's sleep are boundless.  Enough shut eye will help improve your child's concentration and problem solving skills as well as increase their immune system and tolerance to stress, mood swings and irritability. During their hours of rest, your child’s growth hormones will also get a boost. For children aged between 6 to 12 years old, aim for 10-11 hours of sleep per night, teens need approximately 8.5-10 hours of sleep to function optimally and to keep those grumps at bay! 

3. Physical activity
Being sedentary is a part of student life, there are no ways around it. To balance all the sitting your child will do at school, to and from school and while completing their homework, explore their interest in taking up a sport. They will gain both physical and social benefits from this.  When studying at home, like recess and lunch at school, encourage regular movement breaks.  The benefits of regularly moving for your children are the same as those for you – improved emotional wellbeing and concentration levels and better ability to manage stress. One hour of physical activity per day is sufficient for 5 to 18 year olds, remember this can be broken up throughout the day.  

4. At home study space set-up
Set your child up for success for at home study by enusing that their study space is properly structured. Invest in an adjustable desk and chair that can be modified to their needs as they grow. When adjusting the height of their desk and chair, your child’s feet should sit flat on the floor and their arms should rest on their desk at a 45 degree angle, elbows close to the body. A quiet, distraction free space away from the television and general household movement and noise is ideal. It''s worth noting that if your child experiences any form of pain as a result of their study set up at home or school, consult a physio to ensure it does not worsen.

Whether your kids are embarking on their very first day of school or returning for another year of learning, these tips should set a good foundation for productive study time and happy, healthy children.