Strategies to Support Academic Development at Home

Read at Home

• Read to your child and listen to your child read everyday.
• Keep a collection of favorite books handy.
• Give books as gifts.

Let Your Child Know School is Important

• Keep absences to a minimum.
• Provide time and space to do homework.
• Ask about homework.
• Attend PTA and School Events.
• Volunteer to help at school.
• Visit the teacher.

Talk With Your Child

• Talk with your child about school.
• Talk with your child about books.

Monitor Homework

• Provide a quiet place for homework. NO TV.
• Establish a routine that allows for breaks. Work 20 minutes, then take a 5 minute break.
• Break down the homework into smaller tasks.
• Review the finished homework together.

Recognize Your Child’s Special Talent

• Praise your child daily.
• Encourage creativity: draw pictures, sing, dance and have fun!
• Work on hobbies together.

Limit TV viewing

• No more than one hour a day during the week or 2 hours on weekends.
• Watch TV with your child and talk about the programs.
• TV alternatives:
  • Read
  • Join a team
  • Play a game
  • Call a friend
  • Go for a walk
  • Write a letter
  • Go for a bike ride
  • Play a musical instrument
  • Cook together.

Go to the Library

• Help your child select books that he/she can read independently.
• Select books that you can read together.
• Help your child find books and authors they love