Academic Success Begins at Home
Four Simple Steps to Help Students Succeed
Recent studies in academic performance have determined that there are four factors that can have a major impact on a student’s performance and that it is parents, rather than teachers, who have the greatest influence on a child’s success in school. What makes these simple steps especially helpful is that they do not require additional time, money, or energy, but simply a few changes in what parents are already doing.
Getting Enough Sleep
Success in school begins with making sure that students get a good night’s sleep every night Studies show that children who get an adequate amount of sleep every night perform better academically than those who do not. Noted sleep expert, Dr. Michael Breus, asserts that a lack of sleep can result in behavior problems, poor emotional regulation (such as bursts of temper and frequent crying spells), and can even result in behaviors that mimic the symptoms of AD/HD.
Studies with school-age children have noted a strong correlation between length of sleep and grades, sometimes with just an additional 25 minutes making a whole letter grade difference in their performance. Most pediatricians agree that elementary-age students need 10 to 11 hours of sleep each night. To optimize the benefits of sleep, it is better to establish a regular bedtime and stick to it, even on weekends.
Eating Right
Another factor in academic success is good nutritional habits. In April of 2008, Reuters Health reported a study done by Dr. Paul Veugelers of the University of Alberta. The study, which included over 4500 students, proved conclusively that kids who eat better, perform better in school. Though numerous studies in the past have shown the importance of a good breakfast, Veugelers and his team notes that this study “extends current knowledge in this area” and “gives emphasis to the importance of children’s nutrition not only at breakfast but throughout the day.”
Among the considerations that were linked to the studies were an increase in the amount of fruits and vegetables eaten and a diet of fewer calories from fat. Good nutrition can also improve a student’s overall health, decreasing the number of school days missed because of illness.
Regular Exercise
The popularity of sedentary activities, such as video games and television has raised concerns about their affect on health, but recent studies indicate that a lack of exercise can also lower academic achievement. A study lead by Dr. Charles Hillman of the University of Illinois and published in the March 2009 issue of Neuroscience found that moderate exercise can improve attention and academic performance in children. Electroencephalogram (EEG) tests showed more activity in the prefrontal cortex of the brains of physically fit students. These findings support an earlier study done at MichiganStateUniversity that showed that physically active students tend to regularly outperform their less active classmates.
Parental Involvement
Not surprisingly, parental involvement in the child’s life is an important factor in academic success. In their new book, A New Generation of Evidence, Drs. Henderson and Barla compile data from sixty-six studies of academic performance in children and conclude that parental involvement is the strongest factor in determining success in school. In addition, these studies have shown that parental involvement provides benefits that go beyond grade point averages.
Among the documented findings are strong positive correlations between parental involvement in children’s schooling and improved student attitudes and attendance. Various studies report higher grades and test scores, more homework completed, fewer placements in special education programs, higher graduation rates, more positive attitudes and behavior, and increased enrollment in post-secondary education for students of involved parents. As an additional benefit, children who have involved parents have significantly lower instances of juvenile crimes, substance abuse, and promiscuity.
Success Begins at Home
While what goes on in a child’s classroom is important, studies indicate that the foundation for a successful education truly begins at home. All of these studies prove what educators have been asserting all along, that parents play a vital role in their child’s academic success.
Sources
Dr. Michael Breus, “Back to School, Back to Sleep” WebMD (August 20, 2003).
A. Henderson and N. Barla, A New Generation of Evidence, Center for Law and Education (1994).
Dr. Paul Veugelers, “Healthy DietMeansBetterSchool Performance” Reuters Health (April 14, 2008).
Dr. Charles Hillman, “Exercise Improves Academic Performance” Neuroscience (March 31, 2009).
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