There are lots of things that you can do to help your child become a successful student. These tips may seem simple, but these simple tips can give your child the tools he/she needs to succeed in school. Just 20 minutes a day can make a lasting impact on your child.
Read
Read age appropriate books to your child. Talk about the illustrations. The more you talk, the more vocabulary you are introducing to your child. As your child gets older, have him/her talk about the illustrations.
Before reading a book, look at the cover and predict what the story is about (as your child grows older, he/she can predict). After reading the story, see if your guess was correct.
Read in a variety of places, in a homemade tent or fort, outside, on the couch, in your child's bedroom, or while waiting at the doctors.
As you read, give each character a different voice. Read books with a silly voice as you read to your child.
Read nursery rhymes with your child. Children who know 5 nursery rhymes by the time they are 4 grow up to be great readers. Sing songs and play games with nursery rhymes to help your child learn them.
As you read more familiar rhyming books to your child, pause at the end of sentences and allow your child to say the word.
Read a nonfiction book and discuss the illustrations.
Read a book without words and make up a story. As your child grows older, he/she can make up the story with you or instead of you.
Act out a story with stuffed animals a puppets. As your child grows older, he/she can act out the stories with you (with or without the puppets).
As you read books, do things that are mentioned in the book. For example, eat cookies while reading, "If You Give A Mouse A Cookie" or eat fruit while eating "The Very Hungry Caterpillar."
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It is very important you allow your child lots of time to play, both indoors and outdoors. Playing is the "classroom" your child ever had. Playing allows children to apply what they know, use their knowledge, and interact with others. Limit the amount of technology your child uses to "play." It is important to exercise as much as it is important to learn.
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Will your child be entering kindergarten this coming up school year? Here are some tips to help get him/her ready this summer.
1) Have your child practice writing his/her first and last name using all lower case letters (except for the first letters, of course).
2) Help your child learn and recognize all 52 upper case and lower case letters of the alphabet.
3) Talk about the letter sounds of the letters, especially the ones in his/her name.
4) Practice doing homework. Find a place and time when your child will be completing his/her homework every day and begin practicing the kindergarten skills during that time. Homework time should not last more than 5-10 minutes.
5) Have your child begin practicing writing the lower case letters.
6) Have your child practice counting to 20.
7) Make sure your child can identify the numbers 0-9.
8) Have your child practice writing the numbers 0-9 correctly.
9) Can your child identify letters, colors, and shapes?
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As summer approaches, remember you are your child's first teacher. Don't let him/her forget what he/she learned during the school year. Read 30 minutes together every day. Practice math facts every day. Get a workbook for your child to work on every day. Set aside 30 minutes a day for "learning" any way that works for you and your child, even if it means playing an educational game that challenges their current level of education. Most of all, have fun with your children!
