Parents Corner: Guiding Your Child to Success

As children navigate through the pivotal years of 10th and 12th grades, the role of parents becomes exceptionally significant. This age group, typically between 14-16 years, is crucial as students prepare for major academic milestones and various entrance exams that shape their future careers. Therefore, it is essential for parents to provide the right support and guidance during this period.

Many parents often find themselves unsure about how to best support their children during these formative years. Overprotectiveness can lead to dependency, while excessive strictness can induce fear and anxiety. It’s important to strike a balance, much like watering a plant—too much or too little can be harmful.

Here are some key strategies for parents to help their children achieve success:

1. Goal Setting:

• The first step for parents when their child enters 10th or 12th grade is to help them set clear, achievable goals. It’s crucial to have a well-defined target, as it provides direction and purpose.
• Parents should sit down with their children and discuss their aspirations in detail. This conversation should start with long-term career goals, then move to the specific institutions they aim to join, and finally, the scores they need to achieve these goals.
• Having a clear goal helps in aligning efforts and maintaining focus.

2. Motivation:

• Students often face significant stress and anxiety during their 10th and 12th grades. Consistent motivation is essential to help them cope.
• Motivation should be a daily practice, akin to nourishment, to ensure healthy mental development. Parents should use encouraging words and avoid any form of negativity.

3. Planning:

• Effective planning is key to academic success. After setting goals, creating a detailed study plan is the next critical step.
• Parents should assist their children in developing monthly and yearly study schedules. Input from teachers is invaluable in this process.
• A well-structured plan ensures efficient use of time, balanced attention to all subjects, and adequate time for revision and practice. Parents can also monitor progress more effectively when aware of the plan.

4. Care and Support:

• The pressure of 10th and 12th grades, coupled with hormonal changes and peer influence, makes parental care and support vital.
• Parents should ensure their children remain focused on their studies and minimize time wastage. Providing emotional support during this stressful period is equally important.

5. Mobile Usage:

• It is advisable to limit mobile phone usage up to 10th grade. However, after 10th grade, it becomes more challenging to restrict access entirely.
• Parents should guide their children on responsible mobile usage and monitor their activities closely. Linking mobile usage to study time as a reward system can be effective in managing their screen time.

Conclusion

Navigating the critical years of 10th and 12th grades requires a balanced approach from parents. By setting clear goals, providing consistent motivation, assisting with planning, offering care and support, and managing mobile usage, parents can significantly enhance their children’s chances of success. At VARZ Academy, we believe that with the right parental support, every child can reach their full potential.