Helping Your Child Succeed
*Kids do better in school when parents are involved in their academic lives. Attending back-to-school night at the start of the school year is a great way to get to know your child’s teacher and his or her expectations.
*Attending parent-teacher conferences is another way to stay informed. The conferences (two per school year) are an opportunity to review your child’s report card and discuss strategies to help your child do his/her best in class.
* Send your child to school ready to learn by serving him/her a nutritious breakfast. You can boost your child’s attention span, concentration and memory by providing breakfast foods that are rich in whole grains, fiber and protein, as well as low in sugar.
*Kids also need the right amount of sleep to be alert and ready to learn all day. Most school age children need 10 to 12 hours of sleep a night. Establish a consistent bedtime routine, especially on school nights. Be sure to leave enough time before bed to allow your child to unwind before lights out and limit stimulating diversions like TV, and video games.
*Homework reinforces and extends classroom learning and helps kids practice important study skills. It also helps them develop a sense of responsibility and a work ethic that will benefit them beyond the classroom. In addition to making sure your child knows that you see homework as a priority, you can help by creating an effective work/study environment. Any well-lit, comfortable, and quiet workspace with the necessary supplies will do.
Some children benefit from a snack and a chance to relax afterschool before starting homework, while others do best getting homework done immediately. Decide with your child on a good time to do homework, and stick to a schedule as much as possible.
When your child is doing homework, be available to interpret assignment instructions, offer guidance, answer questions and review the completed work.
*Make time to talk with your child every day, so he/she knows that what goes on at school is important to you.
Discuss with your child what he/she is learning in class, including “specials” like art, science and computers etc. Ask open- ended questions about their class work-questions that can’t be answered with a “yes” or “no”. When corrected assignments are sent home, ask your child to explain what he or she has learned.
* Stay connected! Visit the school’s website and classroom teacher’s homepage often. They contain a variety of valuable information, from the daily lunch menu to educational websites to explore.
* A positive attitude about school is perhaps the most important gift you can give your child. Be an active member of the school community. Get involved by joining the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) and attending parent based committees.
*Attending parent-teacher conferences is another way to stay informed. The conferences (two per school year) are an opportunity to review your child’s report card and discuss strategies to help your child do his/her best in class.
* Send your child to school ready to learn by serving him/her a nutritious breakfast. You can boost your child’s attention span, concentration and memory by providing breakfast foods that are rich in whole grains, fiber and protein, as well as low in sugar.
*Kids also need the right amount of sleep to be alert and ready to learn all day. Most school age children need 10 to 12 hours of sleep a night. Establish a consistent bedtime routine, especially on school nights. Be sure to leave enough time before bed to allow your child to unwind before lights out and limit stimulating diversions like TV, and video games.
*Homework reinforces and extends classroom learning and helps kids practice important study skills. It also helps them develop a sense of responsibility and a work ethic that will benefit them beyond the classroom. In addition to making sure your child knows that you see homework as a priority, you can help by creating an effective work/study environment. Any well-lit, comfortable, and quiet workspace with the necessary supplies will do.
Some children benefit from a snack and a chance to relax afterschool before starting homework, while others do best getting homework done immediately. Decide with your child on a good time to do homework, and stick to a schedule as much as possible.
When your child is doing homework, be available to interpret assignment instructions, offer guidance, answer questions and review the completed work.
*Make time to talk with your child every day, so he/she knows that what goes on at school is important to you.
Discuss with your child what he/she is learning in class, including “specials” like art, science and computers etc. Ask open- ended questions about their class work-questions that can’t be answered with a “yes” or “no”. When corrected assignments are sent home, ask your child to explain what he or she has learned.
* Stay connected! Visit the school’s website and classroom teacher’s homepage often. They contain a variety of valuable information, from the daily lunch menu to educational websites to explore.
* A positive attitude about school is perhaps the most important gift you can give your child. Be an active member of the school community. Get involved by joining the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) and attending parent based committees.