Resources for Parents
Five Ways to Engage Early Readers
1. You're never too old to be read to.
We want our children to fall in love with stories. Reading a story aloud is a perfect way to engage an early reader. Often times, a child has the ability to comprehend a story above what he/she can decode (read the words), so reading aloud allows a child to engage in complex stories.
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2. Let your child choose the book.
By allowing your child choice, they will have ownership over the reading. Ultimately, the child will stay engaged if he/she is interested.
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3. Model your thinking.
Comprehension is the key to reading. Help your child learn comprehension strategies by modeling your thinking as your reading. "This reminds me of a time..." or "I predict the character will do..." After you speak your thoughts aloud, encourage your child to do the same.
4. Ask open-ended questions.
Stop throughout the story and ask your child questions about the story. (Example: How do you think that character felt at that moment?). This will help your child make connections to the text.
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5. Draw attention to new vocabulary.
Point out new or unfamiliar vocabulary to your child as you are reading. Encourage him/her to make predictions about the words meaning. Remind your child of strategies, like using picture cues to identify the meaning. Additionally, reread the sentence before and after the word to try to determine the meaning of the word.
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Five Ways to Set Your Child Up for Homework Success
1. Understand your child's teachers expectations.
Many teachers have a set routines for weekly daily homework. Understand when due dates are and any criteria expected for the assignment.
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2. Set up a designated homework spot.
Create a quiet and clean spot for your child to do homework each evening. Fill this spot with pencils, colored pencils, and resources he/she needs to be successful.
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3. Schedule a regular study/work time.
Kids thrive on routine. Determine a time that works well for the family schedule for students to work.
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4. Incorporate breaks into homework.
Everyone needs a break. Getting started can sometimes seem more manageable when a child knows the length of time he/she will have to do a task. Set a timer for 15-20 minutes and schedule a break.
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5. Start with the easiest tasks first.
It can be hard to jump into a task when you know it will be difficult or time consuming. Start with the easiest and quickest tasks first, so your child can feel successful completing something.
How to Raise Independent Children
1. Do not use "we" statements if you mean your "son" or "daughter".
We are not on the soccer field and it is not our science project. It is your child's work and your child's achievement.
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2. Respect the adults your child's life.
Coaches, teachers, principals, and your child's friends parents are authority figures in your child's life they deserve respect. We need to model to our kids that these people are worthy of our respect. If there is a time that we need to have a tough conversation with these adults, teach your child how to have that conversation and stand up for themselves in a respectful manner.
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3. Stop doing your child's homework for them.
The only way children learn is by doing the work themselves. It is perfectly appropriate to support your child. But if he or she cannot do the work because it is simply too hard, that is helpful for the teacher to see the next day. Your child will feel successful when homework can be managed independently.