How to stimulate the autonomy and responsibility of children in the study

The concern for the studies of our children can lead us to forget what is the final purpose of their school attendance. Sometimes we are so focused on the grades and results, that we overlook that the most important goal is that they can be trained as people capable of living a full and happy life. And for this they will need to develop internal values and strengths that allow them to face the difficulties in life to achieve their goals.

Achieving the autonomy and responsibility of children in the study are some of these values, in Guiainfantil.com we tell you how to stimulate and strengthen them.

When the child does not know how to study alone

I have often met fathers and mothers who tell me that every afternoon they sit with their son to do their homework and study: "But if I do not sit with him, he is not capable to make them "a mother once told me" And now she has gotten used to it and only studies with me ".

There is no doubt that children need the support of their parents, but doing their homework and assuming responsibility for all their school learning, directing all their steps, will surely generate a feeling of weakness and low self-esteem in the child .

What can we do if it is something that is already established as a habit in the child? It will cost us a bit more to undo it, but it is completely possible. So the first thing we will do is start to highlight all the achievements that our son gets for himself, even if they are not from the studies, and we will refer to them when they start studying. We started by highlighting the exams he has passed and we remind him that it was he who answered the questions and without our help. We review everything you are achieving and highlight it with the message of "you are capable".

Strengthen the autonomy and responsibility of children in the study

To achieve the autonomy and responsibility of children in the study, we can help the child to organize himself by making a schedule what he should do with your help, of course, but make sure that it is he who makes the major decisions; for example, what time to study. You can advise and suggest what is necessary, such as the time you will devote to the subjects, but keep in mind that everything he decides, is more likely to comply.

Some parents consider that what refers to the studies belongs only to the school and the child, therefore they only ask from time to time "have you brought homework?", But they do not take care of anything else. It is also not about maintaining this attitude, because the child needs the support of the parents to have a good academic result. So what we can do is show the attitude of "I know that you are capable and within the development of your capacity it is included that you ask for help when you need it. I am here to guide you when necessary. With your effort and your worth, you will achieve what you set out to do."

This includes our availability, when obstacles arise, to help you insist on overcoming them. We can give you ideas to deal with those obstacles. "I can not learn the rivers," our son says to us with a face of discouragement. We can help you with a game or with a memorial resource that we know so that you insist until you get it. This security of feeling supported along with the emphasis on their worth, will unfold their own autonomy.

Finally, we want to influence the golden rule of autonomy: never do your homework to your child. It is preferable that you do not take them well done to you doing them, because in class you will not be able to maintain an attitude according to the learning of the task. Indicate guidelines and even assume that you may not get along well; nothing happens, because in class, when you correct them, you will learn and little by little your sense of ability will be strengthened until you achieve it by yourself, especially if you have your spirit and encouragement.