Create a treasure chest full of reading accomplishments

If your child is just beginning to learn to read, every new word is an accomplishment. Creating an "I-Can-Read-It" box can motivate him to keep going. Here's how it works: Ask your child to choose a word he can read. Write the word on an index card and store the card in a file box. Each day, add a new word. Soon the box will be filled with words your child can read. Review five or six words together each day.

Promote teamwork and responsibility with a chore or two

Not so long ago, it took the work of every family member, from child to grandparent, just to keep the family fed. Today, there are other important reasons why children should share the family workload. One of the most important? Teachers say that doing chores helps kids learn responsibility. And kids who are responsible at home are better able to take charge of their own learning at school.

Use positive phrases to motivate

The language you use can have a big impact on your child's motivation to try, experiment, learn and succeed. Instead of "It won't work," say, "Let's try it." Replace "You can't do that by yourself" with "I can help you." Make a list of the negative phrases your family uses. Try to think of positive replacements. If a family member slips and uses a negative phrase, offer a positive alternative.

Encourage activities that let your child practice paying attention

As your child goes through elementary school, her brain continues to develop. That means that with practice, she can increase her attention span. One way you can help her is by reading aloud together every day. It also helps to play games or work on projects that require your child to sit still and listen carefully. You can also have her describe an event, such as a trip to the park, in as much detail as she can.

Play a game to improve math memory

Here's a fun math game to try with your child. Write a different math problem (such as 4 x 2) on each of five or more cards. Write the answers on other cards. Shuffle and place the cards face down in rows. Take turns turning over two at a time. If they match (problem and correct answer), keep the cards. If they don't, return them face down. The player with the most matching pairs wins.

Include writing in your regular summer routine

It takes practice to write well. Consider establishing a writing "ritual" for your family. Pick a special time period, such as the duration of summer vacation. Get everyone a notebook (a thin one won't overwhelm your child). Choose a regular time of day you'll all write, and stick with it. You can help your child get started by letting her pick a family photo or magazine picture to write a story about.

Show your child that the dictionary is interesting reading

One way to expand your child's vocabulary is by encouraging him to browse in the dictionary. Get a children's dictionary with lots of pictures. Leaf through it together and look for new and interesting words. Read the definitions. Talk about the pictures. Ask your child what he thinks a new word might mean, or if he knows similar words. He may just develop a lifetime love of words.

Point out the useful ways you read

Children learn by watching their parents. And when you talk about what you are doing, you make it easier for your child to learn. If you are cooking, for example, you might say, "I'm looking for a cake recipe. I don't have time to read all the recipes in this cookbook, so I'm going to turn to the index in the back. Here under the letter C is a recipe for chocolate cake." Now your child understands more about how an index works.

Balance negativity by pointing out the positive

Is your child a "glass half-empty" kind of kid? Some people are more pessimistic than others by nature. But that doesn't mean you can't help your child see the sunnier side of life. Remind him of good times and successes he's had. And if he says he'll never understand something, sit down and offer support as he figures it out. Show him that he can solve "impossible" problems if he keeps trying.

Commercials are prime time for conversation

Don't let TV shut down family conversations. Instead, use it to start them. "Half-hour" TV shows are typically 22 minutes of program and eight minutes of commercials. Use those eight minutes to ask your child to think critically about the program. Does she think the characters and settings are realistic, or not? Does the plot make sense? What other choices could the characters have made?

Remember the funny side of discipline

Discipline is serious business, but that doesn't mean you can't have a sense of humor about it. Humor can diffuse a tense situation, motivate children to act appropriately, and even help them see the error of their ways. For example, instead of sending your foot-stamping, cookie-demanding first grader to time-out, join the protest. Stamp and demand every sweet possible. Your child may be too distracted to keep up a tantrum.

Put your child's personality on a poster

Creating an "all about me" poster with your child is a great way to celebrate what makes her special. It's also a good way to learn more about her. Look through magazines and catalogs together for pictures of things your family has done. Find images of things your child likes, like pets, foods and clothes. Have her arrange and paste the pictures on a large sheet of paper. Then encourage her to write a few words about each.

Look for opportunities to encourage conversation

Meaningful conversations with your child are hard to schedule; they happen when they happen. But there are things you can do to encourage them. Many children prefer to talk while they are doing other things. Find the time when your child is most likely to open up: while doing dishes, for example. Use this time for conversation. To keep it going, ask him follow-up questions, like "What happened next?"

Learn about Helen Keller, a model of resilience

Helen Keller was born on this day in 1880. Although she was deaf and blind, she graduated from college and became a famous writer and activist. To teach your child about this model of determination, check out a biography of Keller or watch the film "The Miracle Worker" together. Then go online to learn more about how blind people overcome challenges, such as by using the Braille alphabet.

Make learning part of the fun this summer

To combine learning and fun this summer, try having a family spelling bee (give each family member words that are appropriate for their skills). Or add math to a family outing (How many miles until we get there? How much gas will we need? How many steps to climb the hill?). Ask questions about things you see in nature and try to find the answers. You can also tell family stories that connect history to your child's life.

Foster learning in easy ways

You don't have to be a teacher to make a difference in your child's education. Here are a few simple, meaningful ways to be involved: Put an encouraging note where your child will find it. Administer discipline with kindness and consistency. Accept that your child's best efforts are more important than his grades. Then celebrate his progress together, and tell your child you love him every day.

Brighten a rainy day with an alphabet challenge

If April showers have your child bored indoors, challenge her to put her room "in ABC order." If your child is young, ask her to pick a letter and find an object in her room that starts with that letter. Then she can find an object for each letter of the alphabet. If your child is older, she can write down names of several items for each letter in alphabetical order. Set a time limit to make it exciting!

Model attentive listening, now and later

You want your child to listen attentively in class. When you listen attentively to him, it helps him learn by example. But it can be difficult to give your undivided attention when you're trying to get dinner on the table, the dog is barking and a delivery truck has just arrived. If your child is trying to talk to you in a setting that makes it hard to listen, set a time to talk later, when things are calmer. Then follow through.

Use a weather project to build graphing skills

Help your child practice graphing by making a weather chart. On an April calendar, have her write down (or draw a picture of) each day's weather. At the end of the month, she can count the number of sunny, rainy or cloudy days and make a simple bar graph. Help her use her graph to answer questions, such as, "Were there more sunny or rainy days?" and "Which conditions happened least often?"

Enlarge your child's vocabulary with a few big words

Your child's vocabulary may be filled with short, simple words. But you don't have to speak to him in small words. Expand his vocabulary by using some "big" words occasionally. Children naturally mimic the adults around them, so to teach your child a new word, use it often. Define it. Use it in another sentence. Relate it to words your child already knows ("This book is so interesting; it's captivating!").

Five things teachers really want from parents

Teamwork between home and school can make a big difference to your child's learning. Here are five things teachers wish all families would do: 1. Build your child's confidence with praise and love. 2. Discuss the school day and the things your child is learning with her. 3. Support your child's effort with schoolwork. 4. Schedule some relaxed reading time each evening. 5. Partner with the teachers to support your child

Experiment with fractions your child can see

Some children find fractions more intimidating than whole numbers. Hands-on activities can help your child see and understand the concepts. Try this one: Give him some measuring cups and two identical glasses. Have him pour one cup of water into the first glass. Then have him guess: How many half-cups will it take to fill the other glass to the same level? How many quarter cups? One-third cups? Let him experiment to find out.

No-nag strategies help your child keep track of responsibilities

Nobody likes to be nagged. But kids need to be reminded of their responsibilities once in a while. Here are some no-nag solutions: Teach your child to write tasks on a to-do list in order of importance and cross them off as they are finished. You can also make a job chart that lists responsibilities, when they should be done and by whom. Then you can just point to the chart. Or create a "daily reminder box" that family members can check

When kids teach, they also learn

Sometimes, the best way to remember something is by teaching it to someone else. The next time your child is studying for a test, have her make up her own test on the topic and ask you the questions. Take the test, then let her explain the answers to you. You'll learn what she knows (and where she's a little fuzzy), and she'll solidify the information in her memory.

Be clear about the behavior you want to see

"Don't forget your jacket." "Don't run in the street." Sometimes it seems like adults fill kids' heads with all the things they're not supposed to do. The problem is that young children often tune out the word "don't." Instead, tell your child what you DO want him to do: "Take your jacket. Stay on the sidewalk."

Who will your child call in an emergency?

Does your child know who to call in an emergency? Don't wait for a crisis to find out. You should have these numbers programmed in your cell phone and posted by every telephone in your home: Police, fire and emergency responders (911); parents' work phone and cell phone; a nearby neighbor; relatives. Teach your child which number to call in different circumstances, and what to say.

Create a family yearbook with your child

Family bonds give children a sense of security. One way to foster this important connection is to have your child help you preserve family memories in a yearbook. Throughout the year, collect photos of family events and have your child put them in an album. Add things that remind you each of special times: a recipe you all loved, a leaf found on an autumn walk. Encourage your child to write captions.

Make math tasty with an estimation game

Estimation is an important part of math. Here's a fun way for your child to practice estimating: Get two large glasses of the same size. Fill one with something small (like dry beans). Fill the other with something large (like cookies). Have your child estimate how many pieces are in each glass. Then have her count to check her answer. Finally, enjoy the cookies together!

One activity will help your child every day

One of the most important things you can do to help your child succeed in school is to read aloud together. It introduces young children to the world of books, and even older kids love to be read to. Make reading aloud together a daily priority. To keep it interesting, be sure to read books you enjoy. And sometimes, build your child's vocabulary by reading books that are a little too hard for him to read alone.

Create silly sentences to make facts memorable

Studying for a test usually involves memorizing. Your child can remember lists of items by writing a sentence using words that begin with the first letter of each word in the list. For example, the first letter of each word in "My Very Educated Mother Just Served Us Noodles" stands for the first letters of the planets: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune.

Make new goals as clear as a bell

Ring in the New Year by helping your child improve her schoolwork habits. Help her identify negative habits she wants to get rid of and decide on new positive habits she'd like to embrace. Next, have your child cut some bell shapes out of paper. Write the habits your child wants to stop and start on the bells and hang them from some colorful streamers. Then ring out the old and ring in the new!

Reaffirm your commitment to help your child

Families have made a vital difference in education this year. 2020 may be over, but the need for your involvement continues until your child graduates. As we head into 2021, consider making this parent pledge: "I promise to monitor schoolwork and talk about school. I will expect my child to give school his best effort. I will read with him every day. I will tell my child I love him and I know he can do well."

Token earning can motivate learning

When learning something new, some children respond well to learning incentives. These are rewards your child earns for things she has done. Give points or tokens when your child does what's expected. Take them away when she doesn't. Let her trade the tokens for play time or small prizes. Don't make it too difficult to earn them, or your child may end up feeling defeated.

Prepare your child to tackle challenges

Competence leads to confidence. To give your child the confidence to face academic and life challenges, help him improve his organizational skills, so he'll always have what he needs. Also, give him plenty of opportunities to express his opinions and have them taken seriously. Talk to your child about how you handle your work challenges, too. Your attitude will inspire similar behavior from your child.

Whip up some enthusiasm for spelling

Here's a fun idea to help your child master the alphabet and the spelling of simple words: Spread a layer of whipped cream on a dark-colored tray or plate. Have your child use her finger to write letters and words. Mistakes are easily wiped away, and correct spelling is quickly rewarded with a lick of a finger.

Three daily ways to support your child

From day to day, you may be helping your child with schoolwork in many different ways. But three things, according to research, will help every day. The first is making class attendance a priority, whether your child is learning at home or at school. The second is reading together. The third is managing recreational screen time. When the school day is over, turn off the screens and encourage your child to read, play games, exercise or think.

Expect your child to try hard and learn well

Expectations matter. When you let your child know that you expect him to give schoolwork his best effort, he is more likely to do well. If you don’t expect him to work hard, he won't. And if you make him think he is a poor student, that is what he’ll probably be. Keep in mind, however, that even the best student will make mistakes. Your child needs to know that is OK, and he can learn from his mistakes.

Try a sweet way to encourage independence

You want your child to ask for help with schoolwork when she needs it. But some kids ask for help with every problem. To encourage your child to try to figure things out for herself, put out a bowl with a few small treats, like candies or grapes. When she asks for help, give it, but remove a treat. When the treats are gone, so is the help. Tell your child she can eat anything left in the bowl when her work is complete.

Accomplishment is worth a little struggle

If you rush to solve your child's every problem, you send the message that you don't think he can manage by himself. When kids work problems out for themselves, it makes them feel competent and confident. That's why sometimes, it's best to let your child struggle through a problem on his own. Offer support and encouragement ("I know you can figure this out"), and then give him some space.

Give your child the confidence to speak up

Speaking in front of others, in a classroom or online, doesn't come naturally to all kids. But you can build your child's public speaking confidence by being an attentive listener. Start by paying attention when she talks. Show your interest and look her in the eye. Then be patient; don't interrupt to correct her or give an opposing view. Let your child express her opinion before you give yours.

How to help when your child is frustrated

Statements like, "I hate school!" or "I'm dumb!" are often signs that a child is frustrated with schoolwork. To help your child in this situation, share a story of how you struggled with something when you were young. Explain how you worked through it. Ask guiding questions to help him come up with strategies he could use. Then encourage him to try again. If frustration persists, let the teacher know.

Show your child what subtraction looks like

If your child is having difficulty with subtraction basics, try using paper clips to show her what subtraction looks like. Suppose she must subtract 8 from 16. Make a chain of 16 paper clips. Have your child count them. Then she can count again as you remove eight clips, one at a time. Finally, have her count the remaining clips. Visual aids like this can help kids get a clearer idea of math concepts.

Help your child check for writing quality

Before your child hands in a writing assignment, help him review it. Give him this checklist of questions to ask himself: 1. Does his writing make sense? Are the facts correct? 2. Does each paragraph connect logically to the ones before and after? 3. Are his sentences complete? Do subjects and verbs agree? 4. Are all the words spelled correctly? Are any overused? 5. Is his final draft neat and legible?

With your help, your child can do great things

Research makes it clear: All parents, no matter their own level of education, can help their children succeed academically. To do it, set high (but still realistic) goals for your child. Then stress the importance of persistence, and praise her effort and progress. Be firm about limits and enthusiastic about school. Show respect for your child's ideas, and share your family's values.

Predictable books help kids connect with reading

Children who are just learning to read need books that help them along. When you choose books for your child, look for text with rhythm and rhyme, and repeated words and sentences. Predictable plots and events that follow a natural time sequence make it easier for young readers to follow the story. So do pictures that provide clues to what is happening. A plot or character your child can relate to will boost interest.