We checked in with teachers to find out what they think parents can do to prepare their children for success at school. Here are their top suggestions:
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Teach your child the importance of respect early in life. Encourage your child to put toys in their special place, treat books and toys with care, wait for her turn, and treat animals gently. Talk to her about the importance of respecting other kids in the classroom. Everyone has the right to learn, so being disruptive in class interrupts everyone’s learning process.
Read together
Read to your child – and with your child – every day. To keep the bookshelves stocked, ask the librarian for age-appropriate recommendations. As your child gets older and progresses in reading, don’t fall prey to some common misconceptions.
First, moving on to chapter books is a great accomplishment, but don’t abandon picture books – you can continue to read and discuss these with your child throughout elementary school. Second, keep reading to your child long after your child learns to read – as long as your child will let you. Reading aloud and listening are great tools for building vocabulary and reading comprehension skills.
Don’t do their homework for them!
Resist the urge to do your child’s homework. The work reflects what they learned that day. It doesn’t have to be perfect. In fact, let them make mistakes and try to find them with you when they’re done. Monitor their progress and see whether they understands the concepts. If she’s confused, help her – but don’t do the work for them. And, if your child is often stumped by homework, let the teacher know.
Turn off the tube
Television is not all bad – even teachers watch it. But it’s a good idea to limit the amount of time your child spends in front of the tube. Less time in front of the television means more time for books, imaginative play, and being active.
The average American child watches three to four hours of television a day, despite the recommendation from the American Academy of Pediatrics that kids two and older watch no more than one to two hours daily. The AAP recommends that kids under two watch no television at all.
Recognize talent
Not all of your child’s gifts and skills are highlighted in the classroom. Emphasize all of your child’s talents — not just those associated with school and learning — and tell the teacher about them, too. It’ll give your child more avenues to explore interests and experience success. Learn more about tapping into your preschooler’s or grade-schooler’s hidden talents.
Give them time
Take a conservative approach to extracurricular activities. If your child is participating in art and music classes, swimming lessons, sports, and after-school care, his free time is limited. By keeping some room in your child’s schedule, you’ll give him downtime and encourage creative play.
Talk to your child
Ask your child how her day was and listen closely to the answer. Ask follow-up questions and engage them in a conversation. Who did they play with at recess, for example, or what were the high and low points of the day? These daily interactions validate your child’s interests and concerns.
Allow failure
Your child learns from success and failure. Tell your child that it’s okay to make mistakes and show that you mean it by accepting errors from time to time. Even better, teach your child to learn from his mishaps and try again.