Success in school is not only about good grades. It is also about a child's ability to get along with others. Teachers nurture the academic and social skills of children, but that is only one part of school success. Outstanding achievement begins in the parent-child relationship well before formal schooling begins.
What can parents do to help children develop qualities to succeed in school?
Spend time with your child. A study titled "Families As Educators: Time Use Contributions to School Achievement" found three behaviors that may affect student achievement:
*Establishing regular routines (meal time, study time, bedtime, etc.)
*Encouraging a reasonable amount of participation in organized activities such as sports, band, scouts, choir, etc.
*Having family outings
More Tips
The Association of American Publishers School Division offers several other suggestions in a booklet titled "Helping Your Child Succeed in School."
Encourage your child's natural curiosity. Answer his or her questions. If you do not know the answer, direct your child to resources that will assist her/him. The ultimate goal is to develop a self-sufficient learner.
Talk with your child. This helps to establish his/her thinking as important. It also gives her/him the chance to practice vocabulary, and to learn to express ideas.
Encourage reasoning in your child. Talk through choices and decisions. Help your child see the consequences of certain actions.
Have your child read to you. Discuss the concepts read. "How?" "Why?" and "What if?" questions develop critical-thinking skills. Research proves that no activity is a better indicator of school success than the ability to read.
Emphasize the process as well as the product. Focus on success, but help your child get comfortable with mistakes so that he/she can learn from them.
Begin a portfolio (scrapbook) of your child's best work. Review the contents with your child, showing her/him the progression of her/his knowledge and skills demonstrated in the work.
Attend parent-teacher conferences. Find out how your child is doing, and in what areas he or she needs to work. Ask how you can help.
How to help your child with homework?
Homework Help
Discuss with the classroom teacher what his/her expectations are for homework.
Demonstrate confidence in your child's ability by encouraging her/his persistence through difficult problems/projects.
Assist your child in time management issues and organizational skills.
Provide a workspace, designate a reasonable time frame for assignments, and provide general supplies, e.g. pencils, paper, etc.
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