Being at home with your child gives you many opportunities to bond and discuss matters with him/her. It is also equally important to guide your child as he/she grows up, which means that you would have to take in the responsibility of understanding your child, and making yourself understood as a parent as well.

To be able to be understood by your child, you first need to communicate with him/her effectively. If you are able to find the most effective way to communicate with your child, then guiding him/her towards the right path won’t be too difficult.

Guiding your child in his/her study is the same as reinforcing his/her learning at home. Here are four ways you can consider in guiding your child’s learning at home:

Listen to your child’s needs.

Be attentive to your child’s needs and give undivided attention. Show him/her that you are listening by nodding and smiling at certain points, or by affirming through your responses. Whenever your child honestly tells you the things he/she needs, do not interrupt. Instead, allow your child to explain while genuinely listening to him/her.

Acknowledge your child’s feelings.

Whenever your child shares his/her feelings on certain matters, this is a good indicator that your child is openly expressive. Always consider his/her side before you share any kind of reaction or advice. If your child experiences challenges in school or in understanding lessons, the best way to respond is to acknowledge that his/her feelings are valid. Then, you can start working on the problem together.

Offer help whenever you can.

As parents, you would always want to offer a helping hand to your child – no matter what the situation is. But keep in mind that it is also important that your child develops a sense of ownership for his/her actions. You can offer assistance by planning together on specific steps he/she can take to reach a solution. This shows your child that you are in it together and that his/her ideas matter.

Reinforce positive praise.

Praise and acknowledge your child once he/she has achieved a goal. Consequently, reassure him/her that there is nothing wrong with making mistakes and that all efforts are always acknowledged. Being a parent with a heart of appreciation will encourage your child to emulate that same attitude as he/she grows up.