Top Tips for Parents: How to Support Your Child's Research Journey
7 minute read
As parents, we want the absolute best for our children. It can be difficult, however, to anticipate all the ways we can support our children, especially when it comes to academics and college applications. After all, college admissions are becoming more and more competitive each year. So how can we help our children succeed without putting too much pressure on them? How do we decide what to focus on? Grades? Extracurriculars? AP course load? Internships?
Understanding the Importance of Research Skills
Here at Polygence, we believe in honoring students’ passion, creativity, and agency through independent research projects. Research projects can be about anything (such as black holes, public health, sports performance, fashion design, etc.) and are designed to spark curiosity while cultivating a positive work ethic.
There are lots of benefits that come along with developing research skills. So before we dive into the logistics of supporting your child through their research journey, let’s take a quick look at some of the benefits:
Critical Thinking Skills
Problem-Solving Skills
Determining Source Credibility
Increased Confidence
Time Management Skills
Organizational Skills
Communication Skills
Greater Cultural Awareness
Technical Skills
Networking Opportunities
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Why are research skills essential for my child's development?
As you can see from the list above, research skills can have a profound impact on your child’s development. After all, knowing how to approach a problem, manage your time effectively, and seek out credible resources inspires confidence, independence, and curiosity. Needless to say, these are all valuable skills!
Creating a Conducive Environment for Research
Now, let’s get into some logistics: How can we create a conducive environment for research at home? How do we provide enough space and structure to encourage independent learning? What tools can we provide our children with to set them up for success?
How can I set up an effective study space at home?
First off, you’ll need to set up an effective study space at home. This means creating a dedicated, distraction-free area, along with access to helpful educational tools. While some tools are universally helpful (such as a desk and a computer with internet access), other tools may be more individually helpful (such as noise-canceling headphones). Work together with your child to determine what their ideal study space looks like. And remember, the ideal study space should feel physically comfortable and stress-free. So avoid having your child work in shared living spaces (such as the kitchen). This will help limit distractions. You’ll also want to encourage your child to turn off their phone or leave it in another room while they are studying.
What tools and resources are beneficial for my child's research?
Now that we’ve covered some basics about setting up an effective study space, let’s get a bit more specific with actual tools and resources that may be beneficial for your child. Let’s start with databases. Databases are a great way to provide your child with access to reliable, in-depth information, so having access to one or two will make a big difference:
Other digital tools may be helpful to your child as well, including note-taking apps, such as:
And finally, calendar apps may be beneficial. Here are a few to choose from:
Finally, organization is key. You can provide your child with all of the best resources, but unless they feel easily accessible (i.e. organized), they will only prove so helpful. This is why helping your child keep their study space clean and organized is so important!
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Encouraging Effective Research Practices
Alright, so now that we’ve discussed how to set up an effective study space, it’s time to talk about how to best motivate your child. How can you help your child develop strong research habits? And how can you help them determine whether or not a source is reliable?
How can I help my child develop strong research habits?
There are lots of ways to help your child develop strong research habits. First, encourage them to break down their assignments into smaller, manageable tasks. This will make large projects feel less intimidating, which in turn, will help them stay on track with their assignments. You’ll also want to encourage your child to use day planners or digital calendars to keep track of important dates and deadlines. Not only will this help them stay on top of their work, but it will also teach them valuable goal-setting and time management skills.
What strategies can assist in evaluating information sources?
The internet can be a confusing and overwhelming space. So how can you help your child sort out the good, credible information from the bad or biased information? Encourage your child to check multiple sources when they come across new facts or claims. After all, cross-referencing helps ensure that the information is accurate and reliable. By fostering this habit, you’re not just helping them become more adept at researching; you’re also empowering them to think critically and make informed decisions.
Fostering a Love for Learning
Ultimately, we want to inspire a deeper love of learning for our children. Standardized curriculum and standardized testing often lack depth or nuance, which is why independent learning is so important. Ideally, we want our children to feel motivated, creative, and inspired, confident in their ability to work independently. Introducing your child to research activities and passion projects is a great way to help inspire a deeper love for learning outside of the traditional classroom setting. Feel free to get started with our project idea generator.
How can I motivate my child to engage in research activities?
Helping our children succeed means providing them with enough structure and freedom to explore their interests. That means encouraging our children to freely choose a research topic that they’re passionate about.
For example, if your child is really interested in sports, they might want to complete a research project about whether the MLB should implement a salary cap. Alternatively, if your child is really interested in mental health, they might want to complete a research project about the neurochemical relationship between social media and attention span or the misrepresentation of obsessive-compulsive disorder in film. As your child starts engaging in research activities, be sure to celebrate their efforts and discoveries in order to build confidence and enthusiasm.
What role does curiosity play in my child's education?
When children are curious, they seek out new information, ask questions, and explore different perspectives, all of which ignite their love for learning. Encouraging their natural curiosity fosters critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills, making learning fun, rather than a chore. By nurturing your child’s curiosity, you're helping your child develop a lifelong passion for knowledge. For learning opportunities outside of the classroom, take your child to museums, libraries, science fairs, and more.
Leveraging Polygence Pods for Enhanced Research Skills
As you support your child through their education, keep in mind that college admissions officers want to admit passionate students who are eager to apply their ideas and skills outside of the classroom. Employers want to hire innovative workers who are willing to take initiative. In other words, the skills your child gains through a Polygence research project will take your child far — personally, academically, and professionally.
What are Polygence Pods, and how can they benefit my child?
Polygence Pods are 6-week group mentorship programs designed for 9th-12th graders so that they can delve into common topics of interest, such as cancer treatment, game design, environmental sustainability, and the stock market.
Throughout this program, students receive mentorship from a PhD-level expert, who gives group instruction and individualized feedback. By collaborating with like-minded peers and receiving one-on-one guidance from an industry expert, students are able to design and complete thought-provoking independent research projects. Projects that will look great on a resume or college application!
How can my child get started with Polygence Pods?
Interested in getting your child started with a Polygence Pod? There are plenty of programs to choose from! From exploring film adaptations of literature to understanding the fundamentals of investing and stock portfolios, there is something for everyone! Polygence Pods have flexible schedules and are offered throughout the year. For more information, check out our college admissions results and peruse our list of research program mentors.