Here’s a silly question: what makes Batman such a good superhero? He can’t fly, he doesn’t have super strength, he can’t breathe fire, teleport or shoot lasers from his eyes. So, what allows him to fight crime so successfully? The answer is simple: his equipment. Batman always ensures that, whatever challenge he faces, he always has the right tools for the job. Batman knows that you can’t just rely on your own personal skills to complete a difficult task, you need to have the right equipment.
So, what does this have to do with your child’s education? Well, just like Batman, your child can’t possibly face the challenges in front of them without the right tools. Without the necessary equipment, even the brightest student will find school challenging. So check out my list of 5 vital items that every successful student should have in their arsenal…
1. A Diary
How much does it cost?
$10
What does it help you with?
Time Management
How does it do that?
No matter how old your child is, it is never too early for them to learn time management and organisation skills. The ability to keep track of assignments, homework and other responsibilities using a diary or study planner is one of the most valuable skills that they can learn. The human brain is an amazing thing, but it can’t be expected to keep track of every important piece of information!
2. Coloured Pens and Pencils
How much does it cost?
$5
What does it help you with?
Memory, Organising Ideas
How does it do that?
Colour is a truly under-appreciated tool when it comes to memorising and organising information. Students who use a variety of colours when taking notes or revising for a test are far more likely to retain the information they record. This is because our brains are very visual; the more visually unique a passage of writing is, the more likely it is that it will stick in our minds. Colour is also a great tool when it comes to mind mapping and organising ideas, as it allows students to show connections between different pieces of information.
3. A Highlighter
How much does it cost?
$1
What does it help you with?
Reading comprehension
How does it do that?
When given a piece of writing, good students read it, but great students engage with it. The more that a student engages with a text, examining the ideas, picking out key words and considering the argument, the deeper their understanding of what they are reading will be. A highlighter is a great tool to improve a student’s reading comprehension skills. Highlighting important passages in a piece of writing is an extremely effective way of immediately increasing a student’s comprehension.
How much does it cost?
$1-$5
What does it help you with?
Focus and concentration
How does it do that?
A majority of students don’t drink enough water. This may sound like an insignificant problem, but dehydration is one of the main causes of students feeling unmotivated, unfocused and unsettled at school. A healthy body means a healthy mind, and a healthy mind is an efficient and productive mind. Drink up!
How much does it cost?
$10
What does it help you with?
Almost everything
How does it do that?
There is no underestimating the magical power of reading. Reading increases our vocabulary, understanding of spelling and grammar, general knowledge, comprehension skills, creativity, attention span, ability to empathise with other points of view and our ability to express ourselves effectively. A good student will always, always, always have a book close at hand.
So, how many of these vital items does your child have in their school bag? If not, then now’s the time to get packing. Don’t forget the collapsible jet-skates!
