One of the current understandings of what makes students successful is that they take responsibility for their own learning.  Therefore, parents can best help by emphasizing the joy of learning and curiosity.  Depending on the school to send home worksheets, projects or assigned reading is just not sufficient to develop life-long learners.  Sometimes, teachers ask that children just be involved in self-selected reading.  Sometimes, children are asked to teach someone something; teachers know better than anyone that the best way to understand a subject is to teach it to others.

Intelligence is not nearly as important as curiosity; children are born to learn; our job is to encourage and sustain that natural drive.

Good Luck!  Remember, Parents/Teachers are the essential partnership.

Chris Halpin,  Principal

Help with Homework.

• Review homework with your child, but don't actually do the work -- that's his or her responsibility!
• Help your child prepare for the next day's lesson.
• Help him/her break up large projects into smaller tasks
• Teach organization
• Teach curiosity
• Model learning.

Be Available.

• Let your child know that you'll help find the answer to any question. For example, you can go to the pubic library together to find out.
• Trips to book stores, museums, parks can all be essential learning experiences.

Set Clear Rules About Study Time.

• Plan for breaks. Reward and discipline fairly and consistently.
• Provide a place for learning
• If it seems to be too hard are is becoming a battle that affects the family, talk to the teacher.  Be a partner.

Learn About Different Study Techniques.

• Ask teachers how you can help your child make the most of study time.
• Check your school's parent library for some good ideas.

Do you have any tips for parents? Please email them to us and we will post them on the site.

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