1. Encourage reading in any way you can
2. Treat your child as though he's an author
3. Make math part of her everyday life
4. Teach your child how to listen
5. Support your child's teacher and the school rules
6. Tell the teacher everything
7. Make sure your child is ready for school
8. Spend time in your child's classroom
9. Encourage responsibility and independence
10. Ask your child about school every day
1. Encourage reading in any way you can
There is no way to overestimate the importance of reading. It not only
enhances learning in all of the other subject areas, it exposes children
to a wealth of information and experiences they might not otherwise enjoy.
It stimulates the imagination, nourishes emotional growth, builds verbal
skills, and influences analyzing and thinking. In fact, according to every
teacher I spoke to, reading to or with your child every
day is the single most important thing you can do.
But you shouldn't worry so much about how well your child is reading
in any particular grade. Different children acquire reading skills at
different ages and in different ways. And you can't force a child who's
not ready to start reading.
But you can promote a love of reading by giving your child lots of fun
experiences with print at whatever level she's in. Here are some reading
milestones you should look for now (but remember, your child's skill level
may vary), and specific tips on how to help.
MILESTONE 1: Your child realizes that individual printed words
represent individual spoken words and begins to recognize and read a few
— such as dog, car, and no, plus his own name.
How to help:
• Read together every day.
• Encourage your child to point to words as he "reads" a book.
• Help her learn to write and identify upper- and lowercase letters.
• Teach him how to spell and write familiar words and names.
• Play word-related games (as in: "I'm going to eat something on this table that begins with the letter B. Can you guess what it is?" or "Let's say all the words we can think of that start with the letter T").
• Together, come up with a list of short, simple words that rhyme (such as bat, cat, sat, rat, hat). Write them down in a column, so your child can see how part of each word is similar.
MILESTONE 2: Your child can read simple, repetitive books using
the text or illustrations to figure out unfamiliar words.
How to help:
• Read a new book aloud several times before encouraging your child to tackle it on his own.
• Listen to your child read and help — if asked — with problem words. Act like it's no big deal if he misses some. Concentrate, instead, on making the experience fun.
• If your child misses a lot of words while reading, and starts acting frustrated, offer to take over the reading, or choose an easier book. Never force your child to read a book that's too hard just because his friends can read it, or his sister could when she was his age.
• Help your child write and read his own stories and books. Accept whatever spellings she uses, even if it's only the initial letters of each word.
• Get your child her own library card.
MILESTONE 3: Your child begins to read short, illustrated books
on her own, for enjoyment.
How to help:
• Make frequent trips to the local library, and encourage your child to pick out her own books.
• When your child is reading to you, casually supply the words she doesn't know or can't figure out. Encouragement is still more important than correction.
• Play games that involve reading skills (for example, have a treasure hunt and place written clues around the house; play Junior Scrabble and other age-appropriate board games).
• Ask your child to read to a younger friend or sibling.
• Leave your child brief notes — to say "I love you" or "Good luck" or "Don't forget to take your homework to school" — in her lunch box, near her cereal bowl at breakfast, or on the bathroom mirror.
• Give books as gifts.
• Limit TV, computer, and video-game time, and encourage your child to read instead — even it's only his baseball cards or some comic books.
MILESTONE 4: Your child begins to read longer books with fewer
illustrations and distinct chapters (chapter books).
How to help:
• Take turns reading the pages aloud together.
• Talk about the plot, characters, and conflicts in the story you're reading together.
• Explain complex words and sentences; help with pronunciations.
• Encourage your child to read you recipes and other written directions.
• Show how much you value reading by doing a lot of it yourself. Ask for books when it's your turn to get gifts. Talk about the books or magazine articles you're reading and enjoying.
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2. Treat your child as though he's an author
He doesn't have to be Hemingway or Shakespeare. All he has to do is grow
up thinking that he can put thoughts and words onto paper. And the sooner
he starts, the better.
As with reading, you can help in different ways, at different stages
of development. Look for these milestones, and use these tips:
MILESTONE 1: Your child can scribble or draw a picture and associate
words with the picture (such as, "This is the sun" or "This is me").
How to help:
• Provide lots of materials
(paper, markers, crayons, paints, chalk, etc.) and time for drawing.
• Ask your child to tell you
about the pictures she draws, and label the objects as she points them
out.
• Ask your child to dictate
stories or poems to go with the pictures he draws, and write them down
for him. Then, read his work aloud, exactly as he dictated it.
MILESTONE 2: Your child begins to produce marks on a page that
resemble written words, and can "read" you what he's written.
How to help:
• Encourage your child to "read"
you his words, and express your enjoyment ("What a wonderful story!"
or "Thank you so much for sharing that with me").
• Keep providing the materials
and time for your child to write her own stories and books.
• Write stories and poems alongside
your child, and read to her what you've written (even if you think it's
awful — your child won't judge it).
MILESTONE 3: Your child understands that sounds are represented
by certain letters, and begins to write actual letters to represent real
words ("sn" for sun, for instance).
How to help:
• Encourage your child to write
notes, keep a journal, or write her own books.
• Offer to rewrite his words
or sentences, using the real spellings.
• When reading together, point
out how most sentences have the first letter of the first word capitalized,
spaces between each separate word, and a period at the end.
• Mention who the author is
when you read books together, and talk about what authors (and illustrators)
do. Point out that when your child writes stories, he's an author, too.
MILESTONE 4: Your child begins to fill out the words she writes,
using more standardized spellings.
How to help:
• Don't act overly concerned about spelling. Instead, continue to praise your child for the imagination and ideas he expresses in writing.
• Gently correct spelling on school homework assignments (when the teacher requests it). Your attitude should convey "Let me help you" rather than "Get it right!"
• Reinforce the idea that a piece of written work rarely just happens: It gets written, edited, proofread, and rewritten before the final copy is published.
• Let your child create a quiet writing corner in the house, and encourage her to write frequently. Give her ideas about what to write if she's stumped. For instance: "Write a note to Grandma to say thank you for the birthday present"; "Write down your favorite memory from when you were little"; or "Write a story about your favorite toy."
• Have your child write lists — of anything from what she wants for her birthday or what her favorite movies are, to what she loves most about school or what she wants you to buy at the grocery store for snacks.
• Let your child see you writing, and talk about how you're using writing: to express thanks, for instance, communicate information to office mates, lodge a complaint, request vacation information, remember errands; create a shopping list, etc.
• Get the whole family involved in keeping a vacation or "special days" journal.
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3. Make math part of her everyday life
Leave the flashcards, workbooks, and other skill-and-drill stuff to the
teacher. At home, the best way to help your child learn to love math is
to play with numbers, and to frequently point out the various ways in
which math makes our lives easier. By working with tangible objects, and
counting, sorting, estimating, measuring, looking for patterns, and solving
real-life problems, children learn to think in mathematical terms, without
worrying whether or not they're "smart enough" to do math.
Almost anything you do that involves numbers and/or problem solving
will build your child's math skills. Here are just a few ideas to get
you started:
• Have your child set the table
(counting and sorting the sets of plates, napkins, cups, and silverware).
• Post a running countdown
of the days until her birthday. Let her change the number each day.
• Challenge him to guess at
things, and then find the answers. For example: How many bowls of cereal
do you think we can get out of this box? How many M&Ms do you think
are in your (snack size) bag? How many minutes do you think it will
take to clear off the table? Which of these cups do you think will hold
more juice?
• Play a copycat game, where
one person creates a pattern (pat your head, touch your knee, clap three
times) and the other person has to repeat the pattern three times in
a row.
• Ask your child to help you
create a pattern for a quilt square or an abstract picture using markers
and paper; construction paper in different colors, cut into square,
triangle, and other shapes; or shapes cut out of different fabrics.
• Ask your child to measure
things in non-traditional units. For example: Let's see how many footsteps
it takes to get from here to the door. Why do you think it's more for
you and fewer for me? How many action figures (or Barbie dolls) long
is this table?
• Have your child compare things:
Which do you think is heavier — a cookie or ten chocolate chips?
Who do you think is taller, mom or dad? Which carrot is longer? Fatter?
Crunchier?
• Give your child problems
to solve — and let her work them out by touching and counting actual
objects. For example: I have four cookies here, but two people want
to eat them. How many should each person get? If we invite six kids
to your birthday party, and put two candy bars in each kid's treat bag,
how many of these candy bars will we need?
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4. Teach your child how to listen
Teachers who've been around for 15 or more years say they've seen a definite
decline in children's attention spans and listening skills since they
first started teaching. Many of them attribute it not only to the fast
and entertaining pace of television and computer games, but to the fact
that many children today don't have a lot of time to just sit around,
listening and talking to family members. Between parents' jobs and children's
after-school activities, it's hard, sometimes, to get everyone in the
same room for a family dinner once a week.
But being able to focus on what other people are saying is an important
element in learning. So, whenever possible, try to build your child's
listening skills. Here are some strategies that will help:
• Read aloud to your child
on a regular basis — even after she has learned to read by herself.
Ask questions as you read, to make sure your child is understanding
what she hears.
• Limit television, computer,
and video game time. While they're all entertaining, and can even be
educational, they tend to promote tunnel vision. Make sure the time
your child spends in front of a screen is balanced by time spent with
other people, talking face to face.
• When you speak to your child,
make eye contact and gently touch his shoulder or arm, to secure his
attention.
• When giving directions, ask
your child to repeat back to you what she heard you say — to make
sure she really did hear, and does understand what she needs to do.
• Model good listening behaviors.
When your child wants to talk to you, for example, stop what you're
doing and look at him while he's speaking. When he's finished, say something
that indicates you heard him, even if you only repeat back what he said.
• Play talking and listening
games with your child like Charades, Red Light/Green Light, Duck, Duck,
Goose, and Twenty Questions.
• Teach your child that even
if an adult is saying something he finds boring, he still needs to listen,
look at the person, and show respect.
• Spend time with your child
doing quiet activities that encourage conversation, such as taking a
walk together, taking a ride in the car, folding laundry, picking strawberries,
etc.
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5. Support your child's teacher and the school
rules
Even if you don't agree with them. It doesn't do any child any good to
hear her parents say that school is "a waste of time," that school rules
are "dumb," or that what she's learning is "stupid" or "useless." Your
child doesn't have a choice about going to school, so she might as well
feel good about where she's spending her time. She'll be more motivated
to work hard and succeed if she thinks you think that what she's
doing is worthwhile.
So even if a school rule seems silly or unfair to you, or you think
your child's teacher is dead wrong about something, don't make a big issue
about it in front of your child. Instead, take your concerns straight
to the source.
The key steps toward resolution
The best way to approach a problem or disagreement involving the school
is to:
• Make an appointment to
see or speak to the teacher. For minor problems and concerns, a
telephone conference may be sufficient. But if you feel the issue merits
more serious discussion, arrange to meet with the teacher face to face.
Don't try to corner her before or after school, when her attention is
on the students. Instead, shoot for a time when she can give you her
full attention, and is less likely to be stressed or tense.
• Consider carefully what
you want to say before you visit the school. Write down a list of
your concerns, and why they're concerns. Let your list rest for a while,
and then go back to it, when you're feeling calm and rational. Try to
frame all of your concerns in the most positive light possible, so you
won't immediately put the teacher on the defensive. For example, instead
of saying, "You're not doing anything to help my child improve in reading,"
you should shoot for: "I'm really concerned about my child's progress
in reading. I wanted to check in with you to see if there's anything
else that can be done, at school and at home, to help her move forward."
If necessary, practice your spiel in front of a third party, to make
sure you don't sound too threatening. You may feel like blasting the
teacher; you may even have good reason to do so. But your child will
not benefit in any way if you alienate her teacher. Try to remember
that the best school solutions come when teacher and parent act as a
team.
• When you meet with the
teacher, voice your concerns in the least threatening, most friendly
tone you can muster. If you lose your temper, you may lose the chance
to be taken seriously. Remind yourself that your goal is to help your
child, not blow off steam. If possible, bring tangible evidence to back
up your side of the story.
• Prepare to listen to the
teacher's side. There may be mitigating factors of which you're
unaware; you may have gotten the wrong information from your child;
there may be a miscommunication that's complicating the issue. Try to
be — and act — open-minded.
• If you and the teacher
cannot come to a mutually satisfying solution, enlist the principal
(or the school's psychologist, or a learning specialist). "I appreciate
what you're saying, but I'm still concerned," you might say. "I'd feel
more comfortable if I got another opinion on the matter. I'd like to
meet with the principal." Or, if you're afraid the teacher will take
her anger at you out on your child (this shouldn't happen, but it could),
request an anonymous meeting with the principal. If the second meeting
doesn't help, the next step is to contact the superintendent. But only
you can decide whether or not that's necessary.
Sometimes you just have to accept a less-than-perfect teacher or classroom
situation. In most cases, it won't do permanent damage to your child,
and it may even help him develop some healthy coping skills. Also, sometimes
things that upset parents about school don't really bother the students.
So you may want to talk to your child first, before forging ahead with
a complaint, or requesting a transfer for your child. In some cases, moving
a child from one classroom to another mid-year would be worse — from
the child's point of view — than having him stick it out with a weak
teacher.
On the other hand, you shouldn't feel intimidated by school personnel.
If you feel you have a legitimate complaint (or if your child's health,
safety, or welfare is at stake), and your gut keeps telling you to fight
for your child, you should do that. Just try to remember, at every step
of the way, that the less hostility you communicate, the more likely people
will be to listen carefully to your concerns, and work toward a mutually
acceptable solution. Let the power of persistence — rather than the
impact of aggression — carry your case.
If the teacher calls you
The steps outlined above should also be followed if the teacher calls
you to discuss problems your child is causing at school. Even if
you think the teacher is wrong, or your child insists that she's innocent,
go into the conference with your mind open and your demeanor calm and
friendly. Most teachers aren't "out to get" their students; they genuinely
want to make the child's school year a success.
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6. Tell the teacher everything
That is, everything that's happening at home that might affect how your
child behaves in school. That includes positive changes (such as the birth
of a baby, a move to a bigger and better house, or even a vacation to
Disney World), as well as negative ones (a separation or divorce, a death
or illness in the family, a parent who's lost a job).
It's not that teachers are nosy. It's that most children are not terribly
skilled at handling excitement or coping with changes or stress. And they
all carry their baggage from home into the classroom. Even something little,
like a fight with a sibling in the car on the way to school, can affect
a child's behavior or performance at school.
If a teacher knows there's a problem or change at home, she's less likely
to react inappropriately when behavior goes awry at school. Under normal
circumstances, for instance, a dip in grades might prompt a teacher to
suggest extra help or tutoring. If she knows that the child just got a
new baby brother, however, she might react instead by pulling the child
aside and inviting her to talk about how she's feeling now that she's
a big sister.
You needn't go into all of the gory details of what's happening at home,
either. All the teacher expects to hear is, "I just wanted to let you
know that we're moving to a new house next week, and Allan is pretty nervous
about the whole thing" or "If Sheila seems a little hyper these days it's
because her aunt is taking her to her first Broadway play this weekend."
What else do teachers want to know?
• How your child feels about
school: Is she unhappy? Does she think it's too hard? Is she complaining
about it at home? Or does she like it? Is there some special activity
that she really enjoyed? Does she talk about the things she learns in
school? Most teachers would rather hear about problems sooner than later,
so they can work on turning things around as quickly as possible. They
— like the rest of us — also appreciate a kind or encouraging
word now and then. So don't forget to mention the good stuff.
• How your child feels about
school friends: Is she making any? Does she feel like a part of
the class — or an outcast? Is she being teased or harassed? Is
she too shy to make new friends? Does she need to branch out from her
one best friend and get to know other kids? In elementary school, there
is still a lot teachers can do to mold social relationships. But they
need to know what the problem is before they can start to solve it.
• What your child's special
passions are: Sometimes, a child who is a reluctant reader can be
drawn to books that speak to a special interest, such as sports, or
pirates, or ice skating, or animals. Or, a desire to write may be stimulated
by an invitation to describe one of the subjects your child loves. Let
the teacher know if there is something that really motivates your child,
so she can capitalize on it in the classroom.
• What your child's special
needs are: That includes anything from allergies to phobias, physical
or medical conditions, learning problems or preferences, special talents,
emotional concerns, and behavioral patterns. If you think an issue might
come up in these or other areas, let the teacher know.
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7. Make sure your child is ready for school
All through elementary school, it's the parent's job to make sure a child:
• Gets to bed at a reasonable
hour. That means around 7:30 to 8 p.m. Children who regularly go
to bed later on school nights have a hard time keeping up in school,
teachers say. They end up being tired and grouchy, they're more likely
to have behavioral problems, and they aren't able to fulfill their academic
potential. Even sleep specialists are now beginning to believe that
certain behavioral and learning problems among children are the result
of undetected sleep deprivation.
The bottom line is that a good night's sleep is the best guarantee of
a pleasant and productive day at school.
• Eats a filling and nutritious
breakfast. Children who skip breakfast may not feel hungry when
they first get to school, but according to teachers, they usually hit
a slump around mid-morning and can't keep their minds on schoolwork,
until sometime after lunch.
If your child doesn't like the traditional foods kids eat for breakfast,
let him eat what he does like. There's nothing nutritionally wrong with
eating pizza or a peanut butter sandwich in the morning. Or, if all
else fails, send him to school with a breakfast bar and a box of juice,
so he can get something in his belly before the first bell rings.
• Wears the proper clothes
for both the day's activities and the weather. A kid who goes to
school without mittens, a hat, or boots in the winter may have to sit
inside for recess while her classmates spend their excess energy on
the playground. A child who doesn't have shorts and sneakers on gym
day may end up sitting on the sidelines, while everyone else is running
around having fun.
Children don't always have the best judgment when it comes to protective
clothing. (If it's warm in the house, they assume it's going to be warm
outside, for example.) And they don't always remember which days they
have gym or other special activities. So it's up to you to tell your
child what to expect in terms of weather, and what to wear — or
at least bring — to school.
• Labels all belongings.
That includes his backpack, lunch box, books, school supplies, gym clothes,
gym bag, art smock - and any other piece of clothing or personal item
that might somehow get separated from him during the school day.
• Has a lunch or lunch money.
Most children aren't thinking about lunch when they run out to meet
the bus or jump in the car in the morning. It's your job to either make
it, take it, or remind your child to remember about lunch.
• Puts her homework in her
backpack, to bring to school.
• Remembers to bring special
supplies for special days. There's nothing more devastating to a
young child than to be the only kid who forgot his teddy bear on the
day the class was having a teddy bear picnic at school. Or to show up
on picture day wearing his rattiest clothes. Or to forget to wear the
class colors for the all-school field day. These are the kinds of details
most kids (and parents) have a hard time remembering. So it's your job
to find a way to help you both stay on top of teacher requests. Hang
up a big calendar with important dates circled in red, for instance,
or put up post-it notes on the bathroom mirror the night before a special
day at school.
• Knows exactly who will
pick her up and what will happen when the school day ends. Children
will worry all day long if they don't know what to expect when that
final bell rings. So remind your child when she's leaving home: "I'll
see you at the corner when the bus drops you off at three p.m." or "I'll
be home from work at six p.m. Then we'll have supper and I'll check
your homework." If you anticipate any change in the daily routine, or
in the person greeting your child after school, make sure you give plenty
of notice.
• Gets to school on time
— every day. Chronic lateness is not only disruptive to the
entire class, it can make a child feel out-of-step all day. Plus, it
sends a message that school is not important enough to be on time for.
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8. Spend time in your child's classroom
Even if it's only once a year, and you have to take a half-day off from
work to do it. All children get a real thrill when they see their parent
in their classroom. It sends a powerful message that you care about your
child, and about her education.
Seeing the classroom firsthand is also the best way for you to get a
perspective on what and how the teacher is teaching, what kinds of challenges
the teacher is facing, what the class chemistry is, how your child fits
in within the group, and how she interacts with specific peers. Plus,
it will give you a better idea of the kinds of questions you should ask
to draw your child out when talking about school.
In most schools, you don't need an excuse to visit the classroom. Just
ask the teacher if you can come in and observe. If you want an excuse,
volunteer. Teachers are always looking for parents to:
• Share expertise in a particular
subject area related to your job or hobbies
• Read to children
• Conduct writing workshops,
or help children "publish" their books
• Tutor kids who need extra
help, or work with a small group of advanced students in math or other
subjects
• Chaperone field trips
• Sew costumes for a school
play, bake cupcakes for a party, or cut out paper shapes for a class
project
• Type up a classroom newsletter
or literary magazine
If you have lots of time to give, you might consider:
• Being a "class parent" (the
person who acts as a liaison between the teacher and the other parents
— rounding up chaperones for school trips, for instance, or finding
volunteers to bake for the class bake sales)
• Being a playground monitor
• Joining the school's parent/teacher
association
• Joining the principal's school
advisory committee (if there is one)
• Running for your local school
board
At the very least, you should plan to make time to attend:
• Special events to which parents
are invited (a Mother's Day brunch, prepared by the children, for instance;
or a Writer's Tea, at which children read their stories aloud to their
parents)
• Special school events, such
as the annual Holiday Show or Spring Musical
• The school's annual open
house
• All of the scheduled parent/teacher
conferences
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9. Encourage responsibility and independence
Both of these are essential to independent learning. And both will make
it easier for your child to adjust to the demands of school, and get along
with his teacher and classmates. So, whenever possible, let your child
do things for himself — and for others.
For example, encourage him to:
• Play an active role in
getting ready for school. hat includes picking out school clothes
(preferably the night before), getting up on time (using an alarm clock,
if necessary), getting dressed, washing up and brushing his teeth, getting
his own breakfast ready, making up his bed, and checking to make sure
he has everything he needs in his backpack. Once your child is physically
capable of doing these things, let him take charge. If necessary, make
him a checklist to help him remember everything that needs to be done.
• Develop a homework routine.
While there's no set formula, it will help if your child has a regular
time and place to do her homework each day. That way she's less likely
to forget to do it, and less likely to fight about doing it "later on."
• Unpack his own backpack.
Teach him that as soon as he gets home from school, he should unpack
his backpack, put his homework materials in his homework place, and
hand you (or put in a special place) any newsletters, notes from the
teacher, papers to sign, or special work he's brought home. Then
he can watch TV, or have his snack, or do whatever else is planned.
If you make this part of a daily routine, you're less likely to be hit
during the morning rush with, "Oh, no! I'm supposed to bring in cupcakes
for the party today" or "Today's the day you're supposed to come to
school for our science fair."
• Pick up her own mess.
That includes toys scattered on the living room floor, bikes, and roller
skates left out on the driveway, and wet towels left cold and lonely
on the bathroom floor. It may take longer and require more effort for
you to insist that your child pick things up herself, but in the long
run it's better for her than having you always do it. In school, she
won't have a choice.
• Get involved in family
meals. Young children can set the table or help with the grocery
list.
• Perform regular chores
that benefit the entire family. Even little things like taking out
the trash regularly will help your child see herself as part of a larger
family team. It will also build her sense of competence and confidence.
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10. Ask your child about school every day
It isn't always easy to get the scoop on school from your own child. If
you ask a perfectly normal, sincere question like, "What did you do at
school today?", you're likely to get the classic response: "Nothing."
One reason is that so many things happen in the classroom that it's
hard for the average child to answer a question like that. She can't remember
everything she did, and even if she could, she wouldn't know where to
start. It doesn't help to ask, "What did you learn at school today?" or
"How was school today?" either. Both will elicit one-word answers ("Nothing"
or "Fine"), because they're too broad and too vague for most children
to process.
But it's still important to ask about school, because it teaches your
child that school is important, and that you really are interested in
her life. So how can you get your child to open up? Here's what other
parents say really works:
• Don't ask too soon.
"When my son gets off the bus, the last thing he wants to do is talk
about school," says parent Mary Mitchell. "He's too busy thinking about
playing with his toys or visiting his friends. So I've learned to let
him chill out and play awhile before asking any questions."
• Develop a ritual.
"For some reason, the only time my 5-year-old son, Jack, really opens
up about school is when he's taking a bath," says mother Tamara Eberlein.
"So every night, when he gets into the tub, my husband sits with him
for ten or fifteen minutes, and Jack tells him everything that happened
at school. He really looks forward to that time with his father."
"For my son, the magic moment is bedtime," says parent Charles James.
"He's probably just trying to stall me, so he can stay up later. But
when he's all tucked in and the lights are off, I hear the most detailed
descriptions about school."
• Ask specific questions.
"I get the best responses when I ask my son about something I'm pretty
sure he did at school that day," says parent Julie Ritzer Ross. For
instance: "Did the teacher read any new books today? Did you learn any
new songs during music class? Who sat next to you at lunch? How did
you do on your spelling test?" The more specific you can be, the better.
• Read everything the teacher
sends home. "The notes and newsletters that come home in my son's
backpack are really the most reliable sources of information," says
Charles James. "I find out what my son is learning about, what's coming
up in terms of special events or field trips, what kind of help the
teacher could use in the classroom, and what I can do at home to reinforce
what my son is learning in school. It's not always easy to find time
to read them, but it's worth the effort because it helps me fill in
the blanks from conversations with my son."
• Give your child space.
Some children like to think of school as their own private world, where
their parents and siblings can't intrude. If your child is like that,
don't push. Let him know you're interested in his school day, and let
him approach you if he has anything really important to share. Then
stay in touch behind the scenes with the teacher, to make sure everything's
going okay.
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