All tutors understand that self-discipline is a life-changing skill. Children who are self-disciplined learn not to be enticed by immediate gratification. Instead, they understand the bigger meaning of completing a task – even if it’s not something they prefer to do.
Imagine a Grade 11 student, cramming for a final exam because they never bothered to study throughout the semester. Chances are, they won’t remember or retain any information, and will end up getting a poor test score and a huge drop in their GPA.
In comparison, your child is breezing by. You can breathe easy knowing they reviewed their notes once a week since class started. Your child is ready to conquer this test, and will likely score better than the rest of their friends.
It’s pretty clear who is in a better position; not just in terms of getting better grades, but also mentally and emotionally. Children who have self-discipline build strong habits, giving them a leg up in dealing with tight deadlines and unexpected hiccups.
At Luna Education, our tutors understand the importance of having good habits. Whether it is setting up a weekly study schedule or staying away from computers while doing homework, our tutors work hard to instill these skills to help students in the long run.
As a parent, what can YOU do to promote self-discipline in your kids? Here are 4 tips to get you started.
#1: Establish Routines
Consistent routines give children a predictable day, allowing them to feel in control of their environment and actions.
Starting at a young age, encourage your kids to follow a routine. This can be as simple as making their own beds and packing their own lunches before they leave for school.
This daily routine can get your child to understand the importance of being consistent in their actions, and will introduce them to more complex routines (such as an after-school study routine) in the long run.
#2: Give Constant Feedback
If your child is doing well, give them praises and/or rewards. This makes it clear to your child that they are doing the right thing, and will encourage them to behave similarly in the future.
For example, if your child cleaned up after themselves after dinner, let them know they’ve done a great job! If your child understands what is expected of them at a young age, they will grow up recognizing what should be done, and what shouldn’t.
This level of independent thinking will let your child develop self-discipline and motivation to do what’s right.
#3: Guide Them with Processes
Children often need a helping hand – especially if it’s for something they haven’t been exposed to before. Teach your child healthy habits by walking them through any instructions.
For example, to promote self-discipline in your child when they do homework, consider sitting down and creating an after-school schedule with them. It can be that once they come home, they can eat some snacks and watch 30 minutes of TV, then have to go to their room to do their homework.
Once your child becomes used to following specific processes, they will learn to create their own routines and commit to following them.
#4: Be a Role Model
We’re sure this tip isn’t new to you, but try to be a role model for your kids. By showing them that you can commit to your schedules and routines, you are letting them know that they could do the same.
As much as you can, try to show self-discipline in your work. This can mean actively pulling yourself away from TV to do household chores, or going for a jog at the same time every morning.
This level of consistency will teach your child that they too, can have self-discipline.
Self-Discipline Goes a Long Way
As much as we promote good grades at Luna Education, we can’t deny that having strong study habits make a world of a difference for our students. Promoting self-discipline in your child will set them up for success – not just in school, but for everything else they will handle in their lives.
At Luna Education, we understand that academic success is not linear. A lot of factors tie into a student’s grades, such as their motivation to do well, interest in the subject, and self-discipline in completing and reviewing their work.
Schedule a FREE Initial Assessment with our Education Program Manager to find out what your child’s learning behaviours and motivations are. From learning this about your child, our professional English and Math tutors will build a custom learning plan to support your child at school!
