Just like our elves are always honing their toy-making skills, it’s time for your little ones to sharpen their study skills! Get ready for 7 tips that will turn your child into a studying superstar!

Create a Designated Study Space 

Every elf needs a workbench, and every student needs a study nook! Help your child set up a cozy, distraction-free area for homework and studying. It doesn’t need to be big – even elves work wonders in small spaces!

Elf Tip: Make planning fun! Use colorful pens and stickers, or even create a “task advent calendar” to count down to big projects. Encourage them to use a planner to track assignments, tests, and project deadlines.

Take Effective Notes 

Good note-taking never fails in setting up kids for success. Introduce your child to the Cornell method: divide the page into sections for notes, main ideas, and summary.

Making Note-Taking Magical Elf Tip: Turn note-taking into a game. Award points for capturing key ideas or using different colored pens for various concepts.

• Color Coding: Assign colors to different types of information (e.g., blue for definitions, green for examples, red for important dates).
• Doodle Dictionary: Encourage small drawings or symbols to represent key concepts.
• Margin Mysteries: Use the margins for questions, connections to other topics, or “fun facts.”

Adapting for Different Learning Styles:

• Visual Learners: Encourage mind maps, diagrams, and color coding.
• Auditory Learners: Leave space to add verbal cues or mnemonics heard during lessons.
• Kinesthetic Learners: Use textured papers or create 3D fold-outs in notebooks.

Elf Tip: Turn note-taking into a game. Award points for capturing key ideas or using different colored pens for various concepts.

Additional note: Avoid cramming – study a little each day 

Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither is knowledge! Help your child create a study schedule that spreads out the work rather than cramming the night before.

Minimize Distractions During Study Time 

Help them create a distraction-free zone during study time by putting away phones, turning off the TV, and using website blockers if necessary.

Making It Fun:

• Distraction Jar: For every 30 minutes of focused study, your child can take a 5-minute break to do something from the “distraction jar” (quick dance party, check social media, etc.).
• Concentration Chronicles: Keep a log of focus times, celebrating improvements and setting new “personal bests.”

Stay Tuned For Exciting Updates

Our hard-working elves are putting the finishing touches on something special just for you! Keep your eyes peeled for our upcoming Where’s My Elf app. It’s packed with fun activities and more tips to make learning a magical adventure. Stay tuned! Wishing you a school year filled with learning, laughter, and lots of elf-style fun.