The first bell at school may still be several days away, but educators agree that a smooth transition back into reading, writing and arithmetic routines takes some thoughtful planning in advance by parents.
“One of the most accurate predictors of student success is not family income or social status, but the extent to which parents are involved in their children’s education,” says Dr. Donna McGhie-Richmond, educational specialist with Kumon Math and Reading Centres. “Parent involvement in education is essential for many students, reinforcing the importance of learning.”
- If your child is just beginning their school experience, discuss what can be expected on the first day such as learning class rules, catching up with friends and making new ones. Show your child the route to school and make a visit there before classes start.
- Get to know the teachers. Make them aware of out of the ordinary circumstances at home. Let teachers know that you expect and appreciate progress information – both positive and negative.
- Set up a regular place at home for schoolwork. Make sure it is well lit, clutter free, with tools of learning such as paper, pencils, pens, computer, and a dictionary and thesaurus.
- Involve your child in putting together a back-to-school ‘kit’ of supplies that will be needed in the upcoming year. Ask the school for ideas if needed.
- Establish a regular study time for your child every day. Agree on a time and stick to it. Even if homework has already been completed, use the study time for reading or reviewing the work. Mark off the time on a calendar.
- Enroll your child in a program that motivates independent study and instills focus, time management and confidence, like the Kumon Math and Reading Program.
For more information on the Kumon Math and Reading Program, please call (613) 261-1650, visit us online at http://www.kumon.com/ or check out our blog in detail.
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