STUDY STRATEGIES FOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENTS When students hear the word “study,” some would prefer to hide their heads under their desks. As the school year ends, students may want to study even less. Here are some quick and easy ways to motivate your child. First, she should have a quiet, comfortable and well-lit study area, with necessary supplies such as pencils, paper, index cards and folders. This will help keep your child from wasting valuable study time looking for supplies. Post a calendar to write down important dates for assignments and projects, which will help her determine what to study when. Studying should be done the same time each evening before other activities, such as watching television. Young elementary students should study an average of 20 to 30 minutes every night focusing on developing organizational skills and improving basic concepts, including writing and vocabulary. Older elementary students should study an average of 45 to 60 minutes per night and should focus on planning ahead, setting goals and prioritizing. Here are a few more study strategies to make this school year end on a good note. Study a little each night. Studying should be a gradual process rather than a panicked rush the night before a test. Cramming is not a good study habit. Create a homework calendar and assign a certain amount of time to study a particular subject. Repeat, repeat, repeat. Children learn by doing over and over again. That’s why your child may ask you to read the same book repeatedly. Review materials with your child to assist their studying. Use flashcards. You can use index cards or cut up scrap paper. List one item or concept on each card and shuffle. If you have more than five flashcards, break them down into smaller components. Have your child study one or two cards at a time until she knows the information. Gradually add a card to the pile until all have been acquired. Any concept, from learning new words to multiplication tables, can be learned using flashcards. Studying a little at a time makes the big task not so overwhelming. Offer support and guidance. Make sure your child knows you are there to help. This is especially true as she matures. If you set standards and expectations, she quickly will become comfortable with good study habits. Armed with this knowledge, your child will no longer dive under the desk the next time she hears the word “study.” By Jessica Samons Kutz