Hands down-or, should we say, hands up - school principals know how to help your child make the grade:
1. Be your child’s student. Ask him to explain a math problem or to summarize a book he has read. You’ll find out how he thinks and boost his self-esteem.
2. Attend school events like PTA, plays and games. It really counts with your kids.
3. Partner with the teacher to give your child a positive view of school. Handling any bumps down the road will be easier.
4. Avoid making homework a chore. Suggest your child tackle hard tasks first and the easier work last. Take a fun break in between.
5. Establish a half-hour family reading time to foster a love of reading in your child. Let her pick a book or magazine to read just for pleasure.
6. Encourage writing. Let a young child “write” with words and pictures. Help an older child connect through e-mail, birthday cards, or making a family newsletter.
7. Celebrate your child’s nonacademic talents-in music, drama, sports, drawing, etc. and you’ll motivate him to be a success both in school and out.
8. Don’t give your child too much help on projects. What she learns in the creative process tops handing in a perfect product.
9. To prime your child for kindergarten, talk with him often and cultivate wonder. At the store ask, “How many ice cream flavors do you think are in the case?” He’ll interact similarly with a teacher.
10. Feeling as though he belongs at school enriches a child and motivates him to learn. Ask the teacher to get ideas from the class to celebrate culture, whether it’s ethnicities or communities.
11. Share your job, hobby, or talent with your child’s class. Kids learn from you and catch your enthusiasm.
12. Help your child develop good test-taking strategies by practicing on homework. Show how to read instructions carefully, eliminate obviously incorrect choices, and outline and essay on scrap paper before writing.
13. Giving hands-on examples works for teaching math. For instance, use a simple grocery list and ask a younger child to add up the amount of cash you’ll need to take to the store; let an older child figure out the sale price at 15% off.
14. In middle school, give your child more latitude to make homework decisions. Is she is late with a paper, don’t rescue her. She’ll learn to be more timely. Show love, listen a lot and guide her with limits.
15. Review your child’s portfolio with her at year’s end. She loves hearing your praise.
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