Helping your child succeed in school is a high priority for many parents. You certainly want your child to learn, thrive and perform to the best of his ability in the classroom. Parental expectations and involvement, good organization and study habits, support, and even tutoring may all help your son or daughter to do well. A positive school experience will help your child love learning and enjoy her time in the classroom.
Step 1
Create a time and space for homework and learning activities. Use a desk or the kitchen table, but be sure that the space is quiet and lit well. Stock pencils, pens, rulers, paper and other essential homework supplies. Avoid over-scheduling your child to allow plenty of time for homework. Go over her homework with her to check for errors and comprehension.
Step 2
Teach your child how to learn by helping them with note-taking strategies, reading comprehension and test preparation. Talk with them about what they're learning when you review homework or when you are at the dinner table. Work out schedules with your child for larger or long-term projects.
Step 3
Make sure that your child eats a good breakfast each day. Choose foods with protein and whole grains to keep him energetic and focused all morning long. Try peanut butter on whole wheat toast, eggs in a whole wheat pita, or low-fat cheese and tomato on toast, suggests Stacey Nelson, senior clinical nutritionist at MGH Nutrition Services in Boston.
Step 4
Encourage your child. Offer verbal praise and positive reinforcement. Consider rewarding effort with treats or a special family outing. Be enthusiastic about learning, school activities, and your child's achievements, recommends the University of Delaware.
Step 5
Get to know your child's teacher. Talk with her about educational goals, classroom issues and expectations. If appropriate, volunteer to spend time helping in the classroom to better understand the teacher and dynamics.
Step 6
Seek additional testing or help if your child seems to be struggling. Identify behavioral or academic struggles. Arrange testing for learning disabilities or tutoring for academic struggles. If your child complains about not being able to see the board or hearing the teacher, schedule a vision or hearing screening.
Tips and Warnings
- Adequate sleep is important to good school performance. Be sure that your child goes to bed on time and is well rested, particularly for test days.
Things You'll Need
- Desk or designated homework area
- Age-appropriate school supplies
