Same Study skills › Start here › Why schools teach “how to learn”
Why is my child being taught how to study?
From about fourth grade, schoolwork stops being one worksheet a night and becomes notes, projects and tests spread over weeks. Schools now teach the skills behind that, like planning, starting, keeping track and checking, as lessons of their own. Educators call this executive function.
- Plan: write it down and break big jobs into steps.
- Start: begin with the hardest task, with distractions put away.
- Check: is it finished, turned in and packed?
Why schools teach it
Being “organized” can be taught
Kids aren't born knowing how to plan a project or study for a test. These skills develop through the teen years, and research on learning shows that habits like taking notes, quizzing yourself and spacing out practice make a real difference. So many schools now teach them directly, often through programs like AVID.
That's why your child may come home with a planner check, a binder rule or a note-taking format. The guides in this section explain each one, so home habits match what the class expects.
At the kitchen table
What to say, and what to skip
Say this
What's due this week? Let's look at your planner.
PlanWhat's the hardest one? Start there while you're fresh.
StartHow will you know you're done?
CheckWhat worked well today?
Reflect
Skip this
- “You're just lazy” or “You're so disorganized.”These are skills still developing. Name the step that was missed instead.
- Doing the planning for them.Ask the questions. Let them write the plan.
- Packing their bag every night.Do it with them at first, then let them take over.
See it in action
An after-school routine in three steps
Plan (2 minutes)
Open the planner. List tonight's work and anything due this week.Start
Hardest task first. Phone in another room. Short break after each task.Check
Everything done? Planner checked off? Bag packed by the door?
A routine at the same time and place each day does more than any app.
Free practice sheet
Make a weekly habits checklist
Loading practice sheet…
Fridge cheat sheets
Study Skills Fridge Cheat Sheets
Every study skills method in one printable book (59 pages): a cheat sheet page like this guide, plus a practice sheet and its answer key for each, in Classic and handwritten Notebook styles. $8 one time, or all 7 subjects for $29.99. See all prices.
Teacher? Classroom packs for every method are on TeachersPayTeachers: an anchor chart, a parent letter and practice sheets with answer keys, $4. See the packs
Parents: tell your child's teacher about this guide
Parents also ask
What is executive function?
The brain's management skills: planning, getting started, keeping track, staying focused and checking your work.
My child is bright but disorganized. Is that normal?
Very. Organization develops later than many academic skills, often into the late teens.
Should I worry if my child struggles a lot?
If planning or focus problems last for months and affect schoolwork, talk with the teacher or school counselor.
Is this the same as AVID?
AVID is one program that teaches these skills. Our AVID guide explains its WICOR strategies.