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.

Award your child an accomplishment trophy

Did your child raise his math grade? Was he named Student of the Week? Here's a fun way to reward a child for a job well done. Go to a thrift store and find a used trophy. Take it to an engraver and, for a small fee, get your child's name engraved on the nameplate. Then celebrate his achievements!

Stay up to date on your child's progress

When poor grades catch parents by surprise, they may do and say things they regret later. Avoid such surprises by keeping up to date with how your child is doing. Review her assignments and papers daily. Chat with her about how school is going and listen closely. The stories students tell can reveal a lot. Contact the teacher if you have any concerns.

Support your child through fourth grade challenges

Fourth grade can be a challenge for elementary school students. In the early grades, teachers focus on basic skills. But in fourth grade, students must use what they know. They generally tackle bigger projects and do more writing. To support your child, stay positive and establish a regular study time. Encourage him to set weekly goals and break big assignments into smaller chunks.

Encourage appreciation by thanking your child

The best way to get your child to do what you want is to set an example. So, to help her learn to appreciate the people and things around her, begin by thanking her. You can thank your child for listening, showing good manners, setting the table or working hard on schoolwork. If you haven't thanked your child by bedtime, do it then. She'll fall asleep feeling good about herself and you.

Good feelings, not bribes, motivate students

Should you offer your child incentives to do schoolwork? Don't promise money or material things in advance, say teachers. Instead, respond to hard work with something that helps your child feel good about himself. Offer specific praise that lets him know exactly what he's done right. Other appropriate rewards might include special time with you, or letting your child select a movie for the family to watch.

Talk about what makes a decision wise

As kids grow older, they have to learn how to make good choices. Help your child learn by making her aware of the choices she makes every day. Discuss what makes a choice responsible, such as how it affects others and whether it helps your child achieve a goal or meet an expectation. Talk to her about decisions you've made and what factors you considered while making them.

Have a creative sandwich celebration!

John Montagu, the 4th Earl of Sandwich (the man who gave his name to the famous lunchtime staple) was born on this day in 1718. Celebrate the day by challenging your child to invent his own sandwich. Here are some categories to try: Best-tasting sandwich. Most interesting meatless sandwich. New sandwich using fruit. Unusually shaped sandwich. Most creative breadless sandwich.

Proven techniques can help your child master material

To succeed academically, students have to do more than memorize information. They also have to be able to understand it and recall it on demand. To help your child master material, encourage her to explain it in her own words. Help her compare and contrast a new concept with ones she already knows. Drawing a picture or symbol can also help her remember a concept.

Make time for fun, relaxing reading

Helping with schoolwork isn't the only way to support your child's education. One of the best things you can do is to encourage him to read for fun and relaxation. Print out a story he can read in the bathtub. Cozy up under a blanket and read by flashlight. To find more time, limit recreational screen time and offer reading as a replacement. The first two weeks may be hard, but it will get easier.

How to boost social skills while social distancing

Many parents are wondering how their children can develop social skills during a pandemic. But many of these important social skills can be taught at home. Role-play being friendly, honest and a good listener with your child. When you play games together, teach her to be a good sport. You can promote skills like cooperation and compromise by doing projects together, such as making a family dinner.

Show faith in your child's ability to improve

When kids get low grades, parents worry. But reacting to your child's promise to do better with negative comments such as, "I'll believe it when I see it," or "Prove it" won't help. Instead, offer your child some encouragement on school day mornings. Say "I believe in you." You can also tell him that you know he will try his best. Your support may give him the confidence he needs to live up to his promise!

Look for ways to turn 'no' into 'yes'

Does your child use her blossoming reasoning skills to argue with you? Keep in mind that the word 'no' sparks arguments. So, rather than saying "No, you can't watch TV," say "Yes, you can watch it when you have finished your assignment." It's also important not to offer choices when only one action will do. For example, don't ask your child if she's ready for dinner. Say, "Dinner is ready. Please come to the table."

Promote a positive math mindset

Your child's feelings about math can affect his performance in it. He'll likely do better on a math assignment if he's calm and confident than if he's nervous or upset about it. To promote a positive math mindset, remind your child that effort makes math smarts grow. Let him know that figuring out challenging problems is rewarding and fun. If he's jittery, remind him that he knows more than he thinks.

Inner strength outpowers negative influence

Celebrities and "influencers" can affect children's goals and how they see themselves, and not always in positive ways. Help your child develop her own ideas about who she is and wants to be. Find ways for her to explore her strengths and talents. To inspire her confidence in her own abilities, resist providing ready answers. If she is stuck on a problem, point out resources she can use to find the solution herself.

Ask your child to help with holiday plans

Don't worry if you can't reproduce past holiday celebrations this year. Instead, create some new traditions with your child. Participating in family rituals gives kids a sense of belonging. Together, decide what you will eat and what to do for family fun. Plan decorations your child can make. Think about ways everyone can help prepare and clean up. Your child will get a boost from seeing plans through and helping the family.

Inspire creative thinking with a tall-tale challenge

Here's a way to add variety to your bedtime reading routine and learn a bit more about your child. Sometimes, instead of reading a book, challenge him to make up the "tallest of tall tales." It can start with "Once upon a time," and friends and school activities can be part of the plot, but then his imagination should take over. Storytelling gives your child experience in constructing a narrative.

Team up with the teacher to tackle problems

By now, you are probably aware of any issues your child is having with school and learning. But you may not always know how to address them. Her teacher is ready to help. Ask for a conference, in person, online or over the phone. Share your concerns and ask what the teacher has observed. Together, plan what you and the school can do to help. If necessary, meet again. Never give up on your child.

Trade places to promote understanding

The next time you and your child have a disagreement, try switching roles. After things calm down, ask your child to pretend he's the parent and you're the child. Then act the way your child was acting, and have your "parent" explain why you should behave differently. Try to convince him why he should let you do as you want. You'll have some fun and each get a better idea of the other's point of view.

Give younger siblings 'schoolwork' too

How can you supervise your child's study sessions when a younger sibling has nothing to occupy her time and demands attention? Try filling a "schoolwork" box with items for activities your preschooler can do on her own, such as drawing or putting together puzzles. She'll get in the habit of doing "schoolwork" before she gets to elementary school, and your older child will be able to concentrate on studying.

Enjoy a holiday word game

Make learning the secret ingredient in your holiday feast. Entertain your child (and the rest of the family, too) with this age-old game. Pass out pencils and paper and ask people to make as many words as they can from the word "celebration." Or try a hands-on variation: Spell out a word with Scrabble tiles (or cardboard tiles you make yourself), and let your child rearrange the letters into new words.