-
Let your child know he or she is accepted and loved by you – both by what you say and what you do!
-
Be a positive role model – set a good example for your child.
-
Encourage your child to read books about topics of interest, which are at his/her reading level.
-
Have your child summarize (tell you about in his/her own words) what he or she read.
-
Set a time for, reinforce, and encourage homework completion.
-
Break homework assignments into segments, if your child is overwhelmed by a whole assignment.
-
Assist your child with homework, if necessary, but your child should be the one who is doing the work.
-
Recognize when your child is frustrated by difficult homework. Remain positive, and help your child calm down, take a break, and return to their work later.
-
Give needed supports to your child when he/she is doing homework (e.g. if your child has a reading disability and is doing math word problems, read the problem and help your child understand the problem. Let them do the math part, though).
-
Display work that your child has done well – hang it on the fridge, walls, doors, bulletin board, etc.
-
Be patient when listening to your child; give him/her time to express thoughts and feelings; give him or her enough time to process and respond to questions (it may take them 7 or more seconds to formulate an answer).
-
Let your child know you are proud of his/her academic improvements and accomplishments; give them specific, verbal praise (e.g., “I’m very glad to see that you got a 78% on your paper. That is an improvement from last time.”). Emphasize individual improvement.
-
Do not compare your child or his/her performance to that of siblings, friends, or anyone else.
-
Do not put too much pressure on your child. Take heart in small steps. Change does not happen overnight.
-
Point out and highlight your child’s strengths. For example, if he/she is okay at doing math, have them help calculate how much groceries will be, help balance the checkbook, or help do measuring when a home-improvement project is being done (even if it is hanging a picture).
-
Recognize, talk about, and help develop your child’s strengths and interests.
-
Discuss with your child your occupation, occupations of family members and neighbors, and jobs and occupations in general. This will get your child thinking about his/her future. Give “real world” examples of how academics are used in those jobs (e.g., “I use geometry and measurement at work everyday when I…”).
-
Talk to your child about his/her interests and strengths, and about what career interests he/she has.
-
Involve your child in making decisions – both on an individual and family level. Talk to them about the reasons for their choices. Reflect with them on alternative choices they might have made.
