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Helping Children Excel
By Anna Tyzack

Intelligence is nurture not nature.

'Behind every genius you'll find a huge level of disciplined and focused support.
Of course there are genetic extremes - learning difficulties hold you back, and an incredible capacity to memorise information will give you a natural advantage - but on the whole genius is a cultivated state:
if you learn the right way, the brain rewires, adapts and grows. It's called neuroplasticity.'


A
mir Saei

H2O

Intelligence is knowledge but it is also application:

the more knowledge a child has and the better they can apply it, the higher their grades.

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'If we put enough time into learning a particular subject or skill, we will eventually master it, but we need proper guidance.'

Alastair Chirnside

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'Learning has to be well-structured and critically aware or we don't improve - it's not simply a question of cramming a syllabus into your head.'

Amir Saei.

Tips for helping children excel:

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1. The earlier parents start nurturing their child's intelligence, the better their results will be.

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2. Focus on developing motivation, perseverance and emotional resilience, which all significantly contribute to a child's overall intellectual development.

Unlocking self-motivation isolates and removes barriers to learning. This is not pushing or tigering - it is nurturing their minds and parents and teachers can all do it.

Parents can set out to show their children how to gather knowledge, help them find motivation and support them in getting help when they don't understand. If they do these things, their children's grades will be higher and the process of learning will become liberating rather than stifling.

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3. Never forget all children are intellectuals.

Create an intellectual buzz by sharing knowledge, asking open-ended questions, encouraging children to see the other side of the story. 

Maths develops qualities well beyond the subject itself - critical thinking, abstract reasoning, an ability to apply knowledge and sharp analytical skills.

Engage children in stimulating conversation, showing you value their opinions, and promote critical thinking, curiosity and confidence. 

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4. Honour the childrens' efforts by giving them a dedicated clear space to work in at home and supply them with the necessary stationary, notebooks and flashcards, etc. 

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5. Do not dwell on mistakes - they are a chance to learn. 

Children with a growth mindset process errors more deeply, allowing them to make corrections immediately and cope better with the examination process. 

Focus on fundamental truths rather than quickfire methods - that way children will grasp concepts. 

If children do not understand something, go back to basics. Aim to plant seeds of truth in your child and let them understand big concepts slowly - speed is the killer of thought.

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6. Encourage children to look up information for themselves.

Show them how to access information - they will unlock the learning process and help them become more intelligent.

Invest in books and educational materials. 

When children start making their own discoveries, they realise that with effort, they become more knowledgeable and find learning easier.

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7. Motivate with culture outside the classroom.

Children must be motivated by the world outside the classroom to want to focus inside it. 

Culture, both high and low, helps children find self-motivation.

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8. Get to grips with gaps in knowledge.

A child needs to feel they can keep asking for help. For instance, if they do not understand proportional reasoning, they will not understand trigononmetry.​

The longer it is left, the more difficult it becomes to 'iron-out areas of confusion'.

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9. Pinpoint obstacles and barriers. 

Breaks on intelligence can include: stress, exhaustion, negative coping strategies and  low confidence.

Rebuild the child's attention and engagement like a muscle. 'Iron-out' frictions at home, actively support children through negative school experiences and assess if downtime activities are affecting the child's ability to learn.

For instance, computer games can be a great thing with positive outcomes for some children,  but for many others they overload their attention, and it is the same with music and sport.

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10. Celebrate effort as well as achievement.

Reward breakthroughs - remembering, explaining, demonstrating new things or simply leaving their comfort zone.

Celebrating effort and industry generates self-motivation.

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11. Avoid passive consumption of technology.

Any screen is a distraction, and once distracted, it can take a long time to refocus. Screen-free revision, like handwriting, is more effective for memorisation. 

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12. Study past exam papers to develop exam technique.

Understanding exam formats, mastering test-taking techniques and being familiar with the expectations can give students an edge. Children have to perform in the exam's own terms - the more familiar they are with the papers and what they are being asked, the better they will do.

Children will know what to expect and highlight gaps in their understanding.

Exam prep should not be about memorising formulae, but deep understanding. Practise, reflect, refind and repeat. 

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13. Create a structured revision plan. 

The more time students spend revising, the better they do. 

Focus on learning key material, unravelling key concepts and refining problem solving techniques. 

Experts recommend 5 to 6 hours of targeted revision study each day.

Traditional revision techniques are best once the concepts are understood - FLASHCARDS and TESTING.

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13. Give children space for down-time. 

Over emphasising tests, and that future life depends on good grades, can lead to anxiety in children. Children should not necessarily give up sport or hobbies before exams. 

Be grateful for those 'mindless' hobbies and activities that allow children to use their mind freely and willingly. 

Give children space, do not force them to use their brains the whole time. Their minds need to be cared for, not just 'used' - this often unlocks a desire to grow their own intelligence. The mind needs distraction.​

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