Does your child know how to revise in the way that is best for them? Developing a revision strategy that works for them can really make a difference to their success and stress levels. I recently coached a teenager who was just starting to revise for some tests at school. He was revising for a couple of hours every night, desperate to get the highest mark in the class. His mum was worried he was doing too much and wanted him to take it easier.
As part of our coaching session, we talked about his productivity and his perfectionist attitude (established in session one). By the end of our sessions, I managed to get him to change how he revised, so he did fewer hours but learned more. Helping children with revision in a similar way can be very productive.
I don’t think it is easy for children to find a revision method that works for them – it can take trial and error to establish the best way. However, there are a few things that can help your child regardless of their revision style!
- Some children can read the work once and it sinks in the first time
- Others have to write out notes, then more notes!
- Use revision cards or post-its as prompts
- Walking around their bedroom, talking out loud to themselves, repeating the main revision points.
Five Revision Tips for Productive Study
No matter what the revision style, all children can benefit from help with getting organised with revision. Help them to be more effective by sharing these revision tips.
- Help children make a study plan and draw up a revision timetable. Then stick to the timetable (don’t forget to add rest time in too).
- Encourage them to change what they are revising regularly, so they don’t get too bored with a particular subject.
- Get them out of their books and onto the internet so they can find new information about the subject/find a different way of learning a topic.
- Let them choose a quiet place to study that does not infringe on the rest of the family. If you don’t have much space, try to find an alternative spot at the local library or another quiet place.
- Make children take short breaks where they can have a snack, which will get them out of their bedroom/the office! Sitting still for too long can be counterproductive, so encourage occasional movement to get some oxygen into the body and wake up the brain.
What other revision tips do you use to help your child study?
For many children, revision and getting started are not easy. If you would like some help getting your child motivated, please do give me a call on 07961312749 to book a life coaching session.
Other Resources to Help with Exams
Helping Children To Improve Grades
If your child is really struggling with exam nerves or stress and could do with some extra help, find out more about how Life Coaching for Children can help them. If you’d like to get in touch, just visit the contact us page.
[Published May 2022 | Updated November 2025]
