Listen Now
Don’t just Survive, Thrive this next School Year!
We all want our children to do well in school. Teachers matter, but you really matter!
You are your child’s first and lifelong teacher.
Be involved
Ask to volunteer an hour or two in your child’s class or at a school event. Your young children will be so proud to see you helping out.
Be on time
Your child begins the day happy and ready to learn if he or she arrives on time. Plus you can have fun catching a few minutes with the friends you see at school before it begins.
Be proactive
Attend as many school events and meetings as you possibly can. You are a very important member of the team who helps educate your child.
Be real and communicate with your child’s teacher
Teachers can better understand and help your child when they know what’s going on in your child’s life. If there are issues of concern at home or at school, ask to talk in private with your child’s teacher.
Be consistent in their homework routine – when homework is given.
Establish this routine at the start of the school year. Your child feels more confident if he or she comes to school with completed homework.
To give you child a better chance of getting homework done, establish a daily time and a quiet area to work where he or she can focus on the homework. Have pencils and paper readily available.
Be bold
Ask the teacher for help with your child’s homework if needed. Teachers love to see how much you care and want the best for your child’s education.
Be interested
Your child appreciates when you take a genuine interest in his or her school day. This shows your child how much you care.
Have your child tell you something new that he or she has learned each day, and ask your child to share any concerns that may have arisen. Share your child’s concerns with the teacher if necessary.
Be encouraging
Your child will find comfort knowing that you are cheering him or her on, especially if your child is struggling to learn. Children succeed more when praised for their effort than for their talent or good grades.
Phrases such as, “You sure put a lot of effort into that!” will grow their brains! When your child makes mistakes (as we all do), rather than calling them out, encourage your child not to fear mistakes. Teachers know that mistakes are how we all learn. So when your child becomes discouraged, help him or her to say “I don’t know it yet, but I will!”
Be resourceful and creative
Go on a nature walk with a collecting bag and find beautiful pebbles, rocks, seeds, pods, sticks, sand, colorful leaves, bark, and more. Make a picture using those items with paper and glue. If you have paint, paint an item and “stamp” it all over the paper. Have fun creating!
