The last key area in which parents need to involve themselves is establishing a good working relationship with school and classroom teacher. Parents can start with learning as much about school as they can and making a commitment to be involved in school. This could include following approaches: read school handbook about rules and expectations; explore school web site; find out about test scores and how progress is measured; become familiar with state standards; attend school events and parent conferences: volunteer in classroom; chaperone field trips and other events; and join parent and teacher organization at school. Parents should meet with teacher early in year and establish a cooperative, open relationship. It is both teachers’ and parents’ responsibility to discuss noted changes with other one, and it is important to remember that parents and teachers are partners. When there is a problem, worse thing that a parent can do is blindly defend their child without getting all facts and hearing other side of story. Positive communication is essential.

Parenting is not any easy job, and being an involved parent takes time and patience. Try to remember three key areas to concentrate on: making time to involved with children at home; guiding children toward productive activities; and establishing a good relationship with school and teachers. These will help children reach their potential and will strengthen a family bond that will last a life time. Your "A" student doesn’t have to settle for "C’s", and parents can take lead to make sure that doesn’t happen.

To read more about how you can help turn “C’s” into “A’s” see acclaimed series “Helping Your Child Learn” including booklets on Math, History, Science, and 6 other titles at: http://www.sbmag.org/Helping_Your_Child/Help_Your_Child_Index.html or follow link on home page of EducationResourcesNetwork.com.

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Parents need to make books a special thing in home, like a collection. They can be kept in a special place created to showcase reading materials. Children will value books and respect them if a parent demonstrates that same care and value of them. Parents can also model being avid readers and life-long learners. Children need that modeling very early in life.

In choosing books, they need to be appropriate age level for child. If a book is eye catching and is motivating, a child will read it again and again. Books that utilize repetition and rhyming are always very popular with children. Books that are filled with pictures, are ideal for reading sessions because child will be receptive to more discussion and comment by looking at pictures.

Where will you find time to do reading session with your child? Start with television. Shave enough time from TV viewing to work on reading activities with your child. In addition, use television time to tie into language development. Parents need to take charge of TV time and selection of programs to be viewed. Choose programs that meet following criteria: captures child’s interest; encourages listening and questioning; helps child learn new words; helps child’s self-esteem; and can be connected to real life.

There are many stages of language development that can be addressed by parents. A parent should be involved in all components. There are many materials and handbooks available from which parents can learn basics and can learn some specific activities to use with children. Children need a jump start in reading, and parents can make that happen.

Copyright usage: No permission is needed to reproduce this story. The About Author statement must remain in tact. We would like to be notified of where and how article is being used if possible. mailto:barb@sbmag.org