How Parents Can Help

• Go beyond, “What did you learn in school today?” Ask, “What story are you on in reading?” or, “Tell me what you’ve been doing in science.”
• Continue to save special papers and projects, perhaps in a file or scrapbook. Let your child help choose what to save.
• Occasionally stop in your child’s classroom, maybe before or after school (even a few minutes).
• Ask your child to tell you about the bulletin boards, learning and activity centers, etc.
• Be responsible for reading classroom newsletters and other school communications.
• Monitor/limit the use of video games and television.
• Participate in Parent-Student-Teacher conferences.

• Establish a time and place for your child to do homework.
• Help your child organize and care for school materials so they don’t get lost or damaged. Protect schoolwork from younger children and pets.
• Ask the teacher about spelling instruction & if there are weekly lists, review them with your child.
• Ask the teacher about math fact memorization & if your child needs to work on this, set a regular time period daily for flash card drill.
• Visit the library regularly with your child.
• Encourage your child to become responsible for some family chores.
• Expect your child to use manners.
• Allow your child to find the correct change to pay for items at a store.
• Use time wisely: 1) Practice math facts while riding in the car; 2) Use road signs for fun spelling games.

• Talk over discipline strategies, bedtimes, etc. with your spouse so that mother and father have consistent expectations and methods.
• Follow through on expectations and demands.
• Notice and reward positive things about your child.
• When punishment or reprimand is necessary, explain what your child did wrong.
• Establish a consistent bedtime. Check with your child’s teacher to see if he/she is attentive in class.

• You suspect peer problems such as cliques, ostracizing of old friends, etc.
• “New” items show up among your child’s belongings.
• Your child brings home a disturbing tale of something said or done at school (please check with the school before going to a friend or neighbor).
• You have questions about homework, grading, curriculum, grouping, etc.
• There are problems at home which may affect your child’s learning or behavior at school.