What You Can Do At Home…

Parent involvement in education increases a child’s chances for success in school and in life.

*        Put on a happy face. When your youngsters come running to you full of enthusiasm about something at school, smile and match their excitement.

*        Table talk. Talk about what your children are learning in school while eating supper. After the meal is finished, pass around any papers they've brought home for everyone to discuss and admire.

*        Change "What did you get?" to "What did you learn?" When tests and reports come home, take the emphasis off the grades and focus instead on the information and skills they learned by doing the work. Ask simple questions about the subject. Increase your children's knowledge by sharing anything you know about the topic, or by looking it up in an encyclopedia.

*        Talking texts. Ask your youngsters to read their textbooks to you while you fix dinner, sort laundry, or drive the car. When they finish a section, discuss any questions the book presents in order to expand their comprehension of the ideas in the text.

*        Family merry-go-round. Start a sentence that each person in the family must complete in turn. "The most surprising thing I learned today was . . ." "One of the things I did well today was . . " The sentence merrily goes 'round till everyone has shared their experiences.

*        "I can" cans. Give each child an empty juice can covered with contact paper and labeled "My 'I CAN' Can." Whenever your children learn a new skill, be it academic, artistic, or athletic, write it on a piece of paper and stuff it in the can. Review the contents of the cans periodically, and watch your children's self-esteem soar.

*        Make mistakes OK. When children can learn from their mistakes, instead of feeling discouraged by them, they are on the road to success. Make mistakes OK by talking about your own errors: "One mistake I made today was . . ." Encourage your youngsters to describe mistakes that they made, and then talk about solutions: "One way I can keep from making this mistake again is .