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Parent Quiz

Are you helping your child get off to a great start?

“Well begun,” said Aristotle, “is half done.” You can help your child lay the foundation for a successful school year by getting off to a good start. Answer
“yes” or “no” to each question.

___1. I read with my child every day. Research shows that children who are read to each day do better in school.

___2. I help my child finish assignments on time. I help her make a chart and check off completed work.

___3. My child has a routine for doing homework—same time, same place every day.

___4. I have met my child’s teacher. I will attend the parent-teacher conference.

___5. My child has a regular bedtime so she gets enough sleep.

How did you score?

Each “yes” answer means you are starting this year on the right track.

(Reprinted with permission from the September 2004 issue of Parents make the difference!® (Elementary School Edition) newsletter. Copyright © 2004 The
Parent Institute®, a division of NIS, Inc.)

Your involvement can help your child succeed in school

Educational research makes it clear. All parents can help their children achieve more in school—even parents who have little formal education.

To help your child do well in school:

       Let your child know you expect her to achieve. Set high, but realistic, goals.
       Establish a daily routine for family meals, homework and chores.
       Stress that school success comes with hard work. Don’t let your child blame teachers or bad luck for poor grades.
       Monitor your child’s after-school activities.
       Make time for reading with your child every day.
       Keep in contact with your child’s teachers.
       Be respectful when talking with or about teachers.
       Volunteer to help in your child’s classroom.
       Encourage and reward your child’s school efforts and progress.
       Be available. Spend time with your child. Offer your help.
       Be firm. Set clear rules and consequences for breaking them.
       Respect your child’s ideas. Take time to listen. Share your values with your child.

Source: “What Research Says about How Parents Make a Difference,” Parent Portal, University of California Lawrence Hall of Science,
http://lhsparent.org/parentmessages.html.

(Reprinted with permission from the September 2004 issue of Parents make the difference!® (Elementary School Edition) newsletter. Copyright © 2004 The
Parent Institute®, a division of NIS, Inc.)

Homework

Take steps to help your child earn great grades this year

Some kids—and even some parents— believe that an A student is just born that way. But teachers know that students can learn the skills they need to earn A’s.

Here are some ways to help your child earn better grades:

       Make sure learning comes first. Give your child many opportunities to get excited about learning. Keep puzzles and paint, books and binoculars
       available for your child to use.
       Keep the balance. Help your children balance school and sports, work and play. Balance TV time with exercise and reading.
       Read every day. Reading aloud lets you expose your child to books that might be too difficult for her to tackle on her own. You’ll help build her
       vocabulary and stretch her horizons.
       Set up a place to keep all school supplies. Buy—and teach your child to use—an assignment notebook.
       Make sure your discipline is firm, fair, and consistent. Children need—and want—limits. Don’t hesitate to limit TV time or to set up a regular study
       hour.
       Get involved as a volunteer at your child’s school.
       Get help if your child struggles. Ask the teacher what you can do at home. Consider using a high school honor society student as a tutor.

Source: Peggy Gisler, Ed.S., and Marge Eberts, Ed.S., “Top Ten Ways to Help Your Kids Get All A’s,” FamilyEducation.com,
http://familyeducation.com/article/0,1120,1-24426,00.html.

Building Responsibility

Develop responsibility by teaching how to do tasks

Each day, you may do things for your child that he can now do for himself. Perhaps you still pack your sixth-grader’s lunch or make your second-grader’s
bed.

Not only are you spending your time, but you are also keeping your kids from taking responsibility. Make a list of things you do for your child.

Decide on one task you think he could do by himself.

Teach him what he needs to know to do the task by himself. Then turn the task over to your child. You’ll be giving him a helping hand on the road to
maturity.

Source: “Building Responsibility in Children,” WTVY News, www.wtvynews4.com/news/features/3/413102.html.