Parents can make a difference

Family love

WHAT CAN A PARENT DO?

READ

MOTIVATE YOUR CHILD

MAKE DOING HOMEWORK EASIER

CHOOSE AN APPROPRIATE PRESCHOOL

BUILD RESPONSIBILITY IN YOUR CHILD

HOW YOUR CHILD’S TEACHER CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE

A school year is underway and hopefully your children have settled in and are doing well.

The start of a new school year may bring back a parent’s childhood memories – shopping with mom for clothes, shoes and school supplies; anticipating seeing old friends and making new ones and wondering what the new teachers would be like. And of course, reminiscing about those special teachers who brought out the best in us comes to mind, too.

Can parents and teachers really make a difference in how their child does in school? Yes, they most certainly can. A child needs a strong positive emotional foundation that springs from a nurturing parent to do well in school.

What can a parent do?

Make time to talk with your child.

1. Make eye contact, give a loving touch and acknowledge with a nod or a word that you understand what they are saying.

2. Turn off your cell phone when in the car and listen intently to your child.

3. Try to eat one meal per day together as a family.

4. Keep the conversation upbeat, do not use this time for reprimanding, etc.

Read

1. Read as often as your can to your child.

2. Let your child see you reading. 3. Allow your child to stay up late on Friday nights and read in bed.

Motivate your child

1. Give attention, affection, unconditional acceptance and appreciation.

2. Discover your child’s interest and encourage development in that area.

3. Be positive about school.

Don’t let your child hear you putting down teachers or the school.

4. Always look over your child’s homework; make up a fun “test” from it.

5. Send an information letter about your child to the teacher the first day of school.

Build responsibility in your child

1. Provide a container close to the door to put all school belongings at the end of the school day. When homework is done the school bag and school work goes back in the container. On the way out in the morning, all school items can be grabbed on the way out the door.

2. Play your child’s favorite song when he/she gets out of bed. Give them the length of the song to get dressed.

3. Help children know it is their responsibility to complete all homework assignments before any TV.

Make doing homework easier

1. Provide a permanent place to do homework each day.

2. Look over your child’s homework every day and give praise for good work.

3. Provide a permanent place to do homework each day.

4. Suggest your child does the most difficult assignments first.

5. Ask your child to “teach” you the homework. Pretend she is the teacher and you are the student.

6. Play “Beat the Clock” and set a timer and see if your child can beat the clock in completing his homework.

Choose an appropriate preschool Because the preschool years are the most important years in forming who your child will become, the selection of a good preschool will pay off in the long run.

1. Decide what is important to you.

Write them down.

2. Ask friends and relatives for names of good child-care facilities.

3. Call the center and ask preliminary questions: Policies, hours, fees, philosophies on teaching, teacher/child ratios, experience and education of teachers.

4. Visit the center. Look for a warm, clean, safe environment; caring and qualified staff that are interacting with the children; established policies; a schedule of teaching activities; and a current license. Interview the director, but most importantly, talk with the actual teacher your child will have. Write down your feelings after the visit.

5. Check with other parents using the center.

6. On the second visit, take your child to the center. Does your child seem to be comfortable at the center.

7. If the center meets your expectations, enroll your child.

How your child’s teachers can make a difference?

• Get to know and respect each individual child.

• Ask for suggestions from children’s families about special needs.

• Have an orientation meeting to inform parents of needed information

• Remember you may be the only positive role model a child has.

• Remember every child needs and deserves at least one adult that is crazy about him/her.

• Don’t raise your voice or yell at children.

• Remember boys need to be more physically active than most girls.

Here is hoping your child and your child’s teachers have a wonderful year.

Dianne Glasgow is a family and child specialist at the LSU AgCenter in Caddo Parish.

She can be reached at dglasgow@agcenter.lsu.edu, 226-6805 or 464-2552.