Ways Busy parents Can Help Children Succeed On Tests
January 21, 2008
Standardized tests are more common today then ever before. And the stakes have never been higher. These tests are used to measure student achievement and to tell schools which shills students need to improve. And with information gathered from a standardized test, your child's school can design lessons to raise your child's academic performance.
Results of standardized tests are also used to evaluate a school's performance. So, it's important to all involved for every child to do well on tests. Helping your child feel confident, well-prepared and ready to succeed on these important tests starts at home.
Attendance Makes A Difference
Teachers can't teach students who aren't in school. And there's strong evidence that regular school attendance can result in significant test-score gains.
So remember: Make sure your child is in school every day.
Don't schedule medical appointment during school hours.
Don't take your child out of school for a family trip or activity.
Don't allow your child to be tardy.
Good Health = Good Test Scores
Getting ready for a big exam requires more than just studying. Your child must be physically fit, too. So don't forget the following as your child prepares for exams.
BREAKFAST: Get your child in the habit of taking time for a nutritious breakfast every day. Even toast and a piece of fruit will provide body and brain energy.
SLEEP: Get your child into a regular sleep routine. Then stick to it! Most children need at least eight hours of sleep each night.
EXERCISE: Encourage our child to exercise every day. Exercise increases oxygen to the brain and helps with thinking and memory.
Read for Success
A child who can read well is more likely to succeed in school and do well on standardized tests. here are some reading skills that are important for test success and ways you can help at home:
Comprehension - is more than just begin able to recognize and pronounce words - it's about making sense of what the words say. Standardized tests often measure comprehension by asking students to find the main idea. To help your child find the main idea cut out a short newspaper article. Then cut off the headline. Ask your child to read the article and write a headline that summarizes the main idea. Compare your child's headline to the newspaper's headline.
Reading Rate - is the speed at which a child reads. Since most standardized tests are timed, it's important for your child to have a good reading rate. just remember, it doesn't help your child to read faster if your child doesn't also have good comprehension. To help your child schedule reading time every day. Research shows that kids who read every day are more likely to read faster. Have your child read silently. Sometimes a child reads slowly because she is whispering the words aloud.
Vocabulary - The more words your child knows, the more likely he is to do well on standardized test. So help your child learn a new word every day. Find words in the books your child is reading or ask the teacher for a list. Each morning help your child write a new word on a file card. Write the definition on the back. At dinner have family members try using the word in a sentence. At the end of the week, review all the cards.
