Top 5 Study Tips for Your Student
Being a student is difficult, but being a student with ADHD is even harder. ADHD has a tremendous impact on students of all ages because it can lead to short study sessions, daydreaming, and getting sidetracked by all of the distractions surrounding them.
All of these challenges make studying difficult for kids. Students with ADHD aren’t living up to their full potential if they haven’t found ways to cope with these challenges.
So how do we make studying easier for children with ADHD? In this blog post, I’m sharing 5 tips that will help set your student up for success.
Avoid Sugary Drinks and Snacks
Did you know that the food and drinks your child consumes can have a HUGE impact on their attention and concentration levels? Spikes in blood sugar can increase hyperactivity, which can make fidgeting worse for your student. Consuming less juice and sugary snacks can help your child focus on the task at hand.
Though sugary foods make hyperactivity worse, there are foods out there that help the production of dopamine in the brain, which can help children focus! Yogurt, vegetables, fruits, nuts, and foods high in protein are all good options to give your child before they sit down and study!
Cutting sugar out completely might be a challenge, but exchanging graham crackers with a handful of almonds before study-time is a good start!
Related: How Does ADHD Affect a Child’s Performance?
Create A Study Station Away From Distractions
I highly recommend choosing a spot your child can do their homework everyday. Make sure you think about the potential distractions that’ll surround them. Keep their study area away from the television or windows that could distract them during their study time. The kitchen table works well for some families, because you can easily check in on them to see how they’re doing. Try to give each of your kids their own study space.
Each child has their own needs. For example, some kids might focus better when they have some white noise, such as a fan or a media player. Other kids focus best when there is complete silence.
Create A Schedule
It’s not uncommon for children with ADHD to have a hard time sitting still and focusing on studying for an upcoming test. The best way to help your child study is to create a schedule for them.
The week of the test, try having your child sit down and study for 30 minutes to an hour. Once they’re finished studying and their homework is all finished, they can do whatever they want the rest of the night.
Some teachers post homework and test dates on the internet. If you know the dates of your student’s tests, try creating a calendar to put where you and your student can easily access. Then you both know when they should be studying for their tests.
Break Up Study Time
Most children start off strong when they study, then sputter out and start fidgeting and daydreaming toward the end. To help your child study more effectively, I recommend splitting up their study time so they have small breaks in between.
Instead of having them study for a whole hour at once, have them tackle three, twenty-minute sessions with some playtime or a snack in between.
Another option is having them switch subjects. They can start studying for English for 20 minutes, then switch to Math, then back to English. Your child will struggle far less and their work will improve.
Motivate Your Child With Rewards
The best way to motivate your child to study is to reward them when they do a good job. A little encouragement can go a long way in helping your child find the motivation to focus.
Some parents set up a form of currency for their kids. For example, in return for studying for an hour, your child can get a token that they can turn in for rewards they enjoy, such as time to play video games or time to watch TV!
You can also take your kids out for a fun activity if they get a good grade on their test.
Related: Where There’s a Way, There’s a Will
More often than not, children with ADHD are not living up to their full potential because they haven’t figured out how to set themselves up for success. That’s why it’s so important for us to help guide them.
Studying doesn’t have to be so difficult for kids. By implementing these tips, you can help your children study more effectively, while motivating them to do well in school.
If you have any questions on how you can set your child up for success, contact me here!