To summarise aspect 1 of issue, the parent should strive to teach the "topic" rather than the lesson and pressurise the kid to learn answers and prepare him for exams. Understanding this difference is profoundly impacting. If the student has to learn the " Jhansi Rani" lesson, the parent is better off watching an animation movie of Jhansi Rani along with the kid rather than forcing the child to remember the dates of battles etc. The child may not eventually come first in class but will surely be on top of the topic. This would MOST CERTAINLY drive the child to do well academically, as it happened in my case.
By himself, the child will realise to well academically. The fact that he is well conversant with the topic makes him/her go that extra mile to remember specifics like names, dates etc and strives to get better marks.
This approach by parents will lay a wonderful foundation for the kid to achieve academic excellence.