Helping School Children Succed

What are the secrets of helping children do well in school? My oldest child will be entering kindergarten this year. I want to be involved in helping her do well in school. -- Just Starting School
Answer: No matter what a child's background is, the number one determiner of how well he or she will do in school is parental involvement. Here are some ways you can help your child succeed in school.
1. Keep your child's passion for learning alive. Young children are totally motivated to learn at school. They'll keep this attitude if they continue to meet with success in school. When problems arise, get them help quickly. If they get bored with school, enrich the curriculum at home.
2. Make sure they become good readers -- not just passable readers. Jump on reading problems early and get your children the help they need. And don't stop reading to them when they can read -- especially in middle school.
3. Help them develop good organizational skills to handle the nitty-gritty of daily schoolwork. Show them how to use backpacks, notebooks, calendars and assignment pads.
4. Provide them with a balanced home life. Avoid the excesses of too much video, TV, extracurricular activities and phone time. Establish routines for eating, exercise and sleep.
5. Teach them how to handle their homework. This includes planning their homework time and leaving time for review at the end of each homework session.
6. Stress the importance of working hard and striving to do their best in school. And do remember that school is not always easy. There will be times when your children will struggle before they succeed.
7. Give your children the responsibility for their learning as soon as they are ready. By middle school, students should be able to get ready for school, handle their homework and organize their school gear.