4 Ways Parents Can Reinforce A Strong Academic Foundation At Home
December 6, 2019
Building a Strong Academic Foundation at Home
At Gaborone International School, we understand the importance of a sound academic foundation. Through our values
of generosity, integrity and self-discipline, we strive to deliver a curriculum and educational offering centred around academic excellence that will enable your child to be prepared for a promising future. Although our classes, educators and curriculum forms a big part to a strong foundation, parents can also play a part in the home environment.
When it comes to building an excellent academic foundation, caregivers and parents can enhance what is learned at school by contributing in a few simple steps. Here are a few tips on how you can help your child develop a good foundation for academics.
1. Get involved
It’s a known fact that children perform better at school when their parents are actively involved in their education. From supervising homework to attending parent-teacher meetings, it’s important that your child knows you take an interest. By staying informed, you’ll notice any changes in your child’s behaviour or performance. You will also be able to discuss any concerns with their teachers and together determine the necessary interventions or way forward.
Strategies to assist learners with learning can also be formulated during these discussions with educators and often, parents aren’t aware of a particular setback until it’s too late. Such approaches are especially useful for children who struggle with certain subjects or have social challenges.
2. Help them prepare for homework and projects
A knowledge of your child’s schedule of upcoming tasks and exams will help you motivate them to meet deadlines. This will also help you instil a sense of time management and responsibility within them that will help them in later life. Your child will also know that you’re supervising their homework so there’s no chance of them not completing it. They will be able to ask you questions and even discuss subjects they do or don’t face difficulty with. This is often the first step to finding out which topics they need a little more help with.
3. Teach them how to get organised
Alongside a good work ethic and a positive attitude, being organised is one of the most valuable life skills for any child. It will also mean less running around for parents to drop off lunch bags or sports kits. When your child is organised, they are more calm and focussed on the task at hand instead of stressed out about the items they can’t find or forgot at home. Set up a roster that highlights what is to be packed and when.
You can also assist your child in creating a schedule for managing projects and exams. This will teach them that staying organised is up to them, and that it has a big impact on how well they do at school.
4. Talk about what happens at school
Talking is the first step to identifying problem areas that need to be addressed. By opening a clear line of communication, your child is more likely to tell you when something serious happens at school. When your child knows that what happens each day is important to you, they will start to share more and more. If they believe that you take an interest in their academic performance, they’ll start to see it more seriously too.
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By Andrison Muzinda: Head of Standard 7 GIS Parent: 1. Will AI replace teachers? 2. Should my child be using AI at school? These are questions I hear often from parents, and they are understandable. Artificial Intelligence is becoming part of everyday life, from the phones we use to the way we work. Naturally, parents want to know what it means for their children's education. As an educator, I have learnt that the real question is not whether children will use AI, but how schools can guide them to use it responsibly, ethically and effectively. The answer lies in a partnership that is technology working hand in hand with excellent teaching. AI is a tool, not a Replacement The best schools, like Gaborone International School, have always adapted to change while keeping children's needs at the centre. AI is not different. In my experience, the most meaningful learning still happens through strong relationships when a teacher notices a child's growth in confidence, a class discussion that sparks curiosity or a moment when a learner finally understands a difficult concept. AI cannot replace these human experiences. What it can do is help teachers personalise learning and give students more opportunities to grow. Personalised Learning One of the greatest strengths of AI is its ability to adapt learning to each child. In Gaborone International School, platforms such as AdvLearn provide learners with targeted practice and immediate feedback, helping them master concepts at their own pace. On the other hand, assessment tools like MAP (Measures of Academic Progress) allow teachers to identify strengths and areas for improvement, enabling instruction that is tailored to individual needs rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. For younger learners, AI supported Guided Readers can recommend books at the right reading level and monitor progress, helping children build confidence and develop a love of reading. As teachers, we still interpret the data, encourage learners and make professional decisions. AI simply gives us better information to support every child. Creativity and Innovation Responsible use of AI also means preparing children for the future. This is why our school introduced robotics programmes, where learners design, build and programme solutions to real-world problems while developing creativity, teamwork and problem-solving skills. We also use Virtual Reality headsets to transform learning experiences. For instance, learners explore the solar system as if they are travelling through space. These immersive experiences make learning memorable and meaningful. The goal is not to impress students with technology but to deepen understanding and inspire curiosity. Ethics Matters Of course, with great opportunities come important responsibilities. Children need guidance on when and how to use AI. They must learn to think critically, verify information and understand that AI-generated content is not always accurate. At Gaborone International School, this means teaching digital citizenship alongside digital skills. Students should know that AI can help them brainstorm ideas or practise concepts, but it should never replace their own thinking, creativity or integrity. As educators, we have a duty to model responsible use and to create clear guidelines that protect learners while encouraging innovation. What Parents Can Do Parents do not need to be AI experts; instead, they should ask their children questions like: How are you using AI at school? What are you learning from using AI? Is AI helping you to think differently? These conversations teach children that technology is most powerful when paired with curiosity, good judgment, and strong values. Takeaway AI is changing education, and that change brings exciting possibilities. When used thoughtfully, tools such as AdvLearn, MAP, Guided Readers, robotics and VR can enrich learning and help children thrive. However, the heart of education remains unchanged: caring teachers, supportive families and young people who are encouraged to think, question and dream. The schools that will lead the future are not those that simply adopt the latest technology but the ones that use it responsibly, keeping children at the centre of every decision, and that is exactly the kind of future every parent wants for their child.
What Parents Should Really Look For
Using Assessment Insights to Personalise Support and Improve Learner Outcomes
