Your children need you to be interested and involved in their schooling. Make sure they know that their academic progress is important to you. Attend open houses and parent conferences and be certain you see all progress reports and report cards as soon as they are given out.
Sit down with your child to discuss and help set realistic academic goals. Throughout the term acknowledge effort, improvement and success. Offer to help if your child experiences difficulties but don’t do their work for them, just show them the way.
Here are some things to avoid:
- “nagging” about school grades – your child will tune you out
- allowing your child to miss school unless he/she is really ill ,as it sends a message that school is not important
- criticizing a teacher in front of your child as he/she will only lose respect for that teacher
- making your child’s failures (or successes) your own as your child may see poor grades as a way to rebel
Please remember that you and your child’s school have the same goals. You both want your child to succeed to the best of their ability. Work with the school to achieve this. If you have information about a home situation etc. that might affect your child’s learning, let the school know. Also, if you have a question or concern about a specific teacher or class, call the teacher and discuss it. Remember, you both want what is best for your child.