Assign your child some laundry math
The next time you do laundry, help your young child build math skills while you complete the chore. Have
your child sort the clean clothes. Ask "How many socks are there?" "How many pairs of socks?" "Are there
more washcloths than towels?" Help your child keep a tally of different items and compare totals from
week to week. Did your family use more towels this week than last?
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Watch and identify birds together
Here's a way to help sharpen your child’s powers of observation while learning together about nature and
birds. With your child, look around your neighborhood for birds. Note the ones you see most often. Ask
your child to make drawings of them. Can either of you identify them? Look online for a bird identification
website or app, or check out a bird guide from the library to learn more about the birds in your area.
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Celebrate May holidays with learning
Memorial Day (May 27) is only one of the holidays you and your child can celebrate this month. Practice
kindness to a pet during Be Kind to Animals Week (May 5-11). Write limericks on Limerick Day (May
12). Discuss cooperation, understanding and solidarity on the International Day of Living Together in
Peace (May 16). Read about aviation on the anniversary of Charles Lindbergh's historic flight (May 21).
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There's value in putting numbers into words
Writing numbers out in word form can help your child to understand the mathematical concept of "place
value." Give your child a list of four or five numbers, such as 562, 73, 184, 16 and 43. Have your
elementary schooler write them in words: five hundred sixty-two, seventy-three and so on. Talk about how
the words go from the highest place value to the lowest. Then, provide the words and ask your child to
write the numbers.
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Strengthen skills with time outdoors
Being out in nature sharpens children's observation skills and builds creativity. Go outside with your child
and allow time to quietly watch the environment. Then, ask some questions: "Can you feel where the wind
is coming from?" "What's the ant doing?" To stimulate creativity, suggest making up poems, songs and
stories about what your child is seeing and doing.
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Boost your child’s motivation to learn
To spark your child's desire to learn, be a learner yourself. Show curiosity and tackle new projects. Then,
share what you learn with your child. Show an interest in what your elementary schooler is learning, too.
Above all, express your confidence in your child's ability to learn, and make it clear that problems can be
solved.
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Help your child picture positive possibilities
Does your elementary schooler think that success is something that just happens to others? One way to
change that mindset is to talk about all the good things that could possibly happen to your child. Be
creative. Show that you see a bright future for child. Chances are, you'll start your child thinking about
positive possibilities, too. And that's an important step toward success.
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Promote learning outside of class
Involving your child in your everyday activities is an effective way to foster school skills. While using
grocery ads to make your shopping list for example, ask your child to figure out how much it would cost to
buy five of one item. When you are in the car, have your child point out signs with a particular word, such
as "right." You can also ask questions that make your child think: "What do you think would happen if
we…?"
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Future travel plans are current learning opportunities
If you are thinking about taking a family trip, help your child research the places you might visit. Together,
look up destinations on maps and online. Help your child learn about the history of the places you'll see on
the way. Did any famous people come from the area? What historic events happened nearby? Advance
research will make the trip more interesting for your child when it actually happens.
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Teach your child skills that boost patience
Patience is a necessary skill for school success. To encourage patience, help your child recognize the signs
of impatient behavior. Is your child talking louder or faster? Tapping a foot? Making comments such as,
"This is taking forever"? When your child feels impatience coming on, a little self-talk can help. Teach
your child to say things like, "I'm going to be patient" and "Getting upset isn't going to help anything."
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Cereal boxes can make great reading
Did you ever wonder why cereal boxes have promotions on the back? Manufacturers know that kids read
the boxes as they eat. To turn breakfast time into learning time with your child, ask questions about what is
on the box: "What is bran? What other foods are made from bran?" "Where was this cereal made? Can you
find the place on a map?" "How big is a serving? How many servings are in the box?"
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Have your child try singing for test success
Is your child trying to memorize information for a test? Suggest putting it to music. After all, that's
probably how your child learned the ABCs. Have your child try putting facts into a familiar song, such as
"Old MacDonald Had a Farm." For example: 7 x 3 is 21, EIEIO. Memorizing the song will give your child
more confidence going into the test, and you can sing praises for the effort!
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For writing fun, have your child pretend
The best way to become a better writer is to write more. To make practice fun, ask your child to pretend to
be an object, such as a mirror, a soccer ball or a frying pan. Then, have your student write a story about life
as that object. Start your child off by asking, "What is your name? What do you look/sound/smell like?
What is a typical day in your life like?"
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Think and plan before leaving your child alone
Ideally, children should be supervised at all times, and states have laws against leaving young children
alone. Even if your child is legally old enough, consider whether your student can handle being alone
responsibly. Before leaving home, review safety procedures, such as not opening the door to anyone, how
to reach you, and who your child should call in an emergency. For more information, visit the Child
Welfare Information Gateway: www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/factsheets/homealone/.
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Help your child turn words into pictures
Many students struggle with a common reading problem. They can recognize the individual words in a
passage, but they have trouble understanding the overall meaning. Help your elementary schooler learn to
visualize. When your child reads to you, describe the images that occur in your mind. Or, help your child
draw pictures or diagrams of the story's action. You could even act out the story, and have your child
describe what you are doing.
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Stop the self-criticism cycle from derailing your child
Some children can be very hard on themselves. They feel like failures if they aren't the "best." This can
become a self-fulfilling prophecy. To ward off perfectionism, set reasonable goals for your child and relax
about normal mistakes. And don't brush off self-criticism. Instead, discuss it. Remind your child that no one
can be perfect. Point out your elementary schooler’s strengths, and encourage the use of affirmative selftalk, such as "I'm proud of how hard I tried."
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Do your part to break the bullying cycle
It's critical that families help their children deal with bullies. Children who are bullied often end up being
bullies themselves. To stop the cycle: Ask the school staff what you can do to combat bullying. Discuss
solutions with other families. Talk to your child, too. Boost your student’s self-confidence with a reminder
of all the things you like about your child. Say that you take bullying seriously, and insist that your child
tell an adult when experiencing or seeing it.
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Disagreement is no excuse for disrespect
Disagreement and division have led to violence in recent times. To teach your child that it is possible and
preferable to address disagreements with respect, make it a rule at your house: "When we discuss an issue
with different sides to it, we will hear all sides and, if necessary, we'll agree to disagree." In that case, your
child will have to accept your authority, but children shouldn't have to change their viewpoints.
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Take time to demonstrate character
It takes time to help your child develop an internal sense of right and wrong, but it is time well-spent. Help
your elementary schooler learn to make good choices by taking advantage of teachable moments in your
lives. For example, if your car door scratches another car, tell your child, "Since no one saw that, I could
just drive away. But I'm going to leave a note for the car's owner. Taking responsibility is the right thing to
do."
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Give your child a chance to be a news expert
For some students, learning about current events is a challenge. It isn't easy to read and remember so many
different topics. You can help by asking each member of your family to choose a different news story to
follow for three or four days. Your child can become the family expert on a topic by reading articles and
watching news items. Then, at dinner, take turns sharing what you've each learned.
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Enlarge your child's vocabulary with a few big words
Your elementary schooler’s vocabulary may be filled with short, simple words. But you don't have to speak
to your child in small words. Expand 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!").
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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 your student count to check the answers. Finally, enjoy the cookies together! https://tpitip.com/?14ac18608

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. https://tpitip.com/?14ad18608

Teach your child who to 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); family members' work phones and cell phones; a nearby neighbor. Show your child how to make calls. Talk about which number to call in different circumstances, and what to say. https://tpitip.com/?14ae18608

A lot of learning can happen in just a few minutes

In as little as five minutes a day, you can help your child learn. You can ask a question to stimulate creative thinking (What if the sun came up at night?). Or ask your child to express an opinion and back it up with reasons (What is your favorite book? Why?). You can tell a story full of information about the real world, or simply say "I love you." Children need to feel loved to take the risks necessary to learn. https://tpitip.com/?14bA18608

Go 'shopping' for financial literacy

Create an imaginary cash register and give your child practice making correct change. Here's how: Sort a few dollars' worth of change into four boxes: one each for pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters. Then, put together a selection of "products" marked with prices. Take turns with your child being cashier and customer. Add to the challenge by increasing the number of items you buy at a time. https://tpitip.com/?14bB18608

Use poems to build language skills

Reading poetry together enhances your child’s awareness of language and how it can be used. Share a wide variety of poems with your elementary schooler. When you read them, speak slowly and let your child listen to each word. Your student is likely to hear new descriptive words. Talk about unfamiliar words, and help your child look them up. Your student will build vocabulary and gain ideas for use when writing. https://tpitip.com/?14bC18608

Move forward from a poor report card

How should you react to a poor report card? First, there’s no need to panic or get upset. Just talk to your child calmly about each grade. Ask, “Do you understand why you earned this grade?” Next, ask the teacher about things your child can do to improve and ways you can help. Find out what help may be available from the school, such as peer tutoring. Then, help your child set specific, achievable goals for improvement. https://tpitip.com/?14bD18608

Teach self-control by giving responsibility

It takes time for children to understand the value of self-control, as opposed to control that's imposed by adults. You can help by gradually giving your child more responsibility for completing schoolwork and chores. Be patient and persistent, and your elementary schooler will grow into a happy, self-disciplined adult who is ready and able to tackle life's challenges. https://tpitip.com/?14aV18608

Reading time isn't over when you reach 'The End'

Some of the best reading times come after you've closed the book. After reading aloud together, ask your child to retell the story. Which were the good parts? Why does your child think so? Next, help make connections between the book and your child's own life. Has your child ever felt like any of the characters in the story? Thinking and talking about books enriches your child's reading experience. https://tpitip.com/?14aW18608

Give your child time to think

Your elementary schooler is learning how to think about learning as well as facts. To nurture these skills, allow some time for your child to figure schoolwork out independently. If your student has forgotten how to do a math problem, for example, ask, "How could you find out?" And when your child finishes an assignment or project, ask questions about how the process went, such as "Did you allow enough time to finish?" and "What did you learn?" https://tpitip.com/?14aX18608

Explain how to respond to bullies

Bullying can happen in person and online. But students are less likely to be bullied if they appear confident and resourceful. Encourage your child to avoid kids who demonstrate bullying behavior. In a bullying situation, remind your child to say "no" and express feelings with words, not violence. Ask your student to tell you or a trusted adult at school about bullying behavior directed at your child or anyone else. And if you think your child is being bullied, tell the school immediately. https://tpitip.com/?14aY18608

Help your child give up on quitting

It's important to teach your child that failure is something that can happen, not something a person is. Here are some things you can say to encourage your elementary schooler after a setback: "That's a challenge, but I know if you stick with it you can do it." "It will get easier with more practice." "If it doesn't work that way, try another way." "You were able to do ____ when you thought you couldn't. I bet you can do this, too." https://tpitip.com/?14aZ18608

Create silly sentences to make lists 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. https://tpitip.com/?14aa18608

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 delights 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 advanced for your child to read alone. https://tpitip.com/?14ab18608

Chapter books make great 'installment' read alouds

Young children have short attention spans, so short books work well for read-aloud times. But as they grow older, children can enjoy longer, more challenging books. Reading books aloud on the "installment plan" is a great way to read with an older elementary schooler. Try reading a chapter each night. Then, stop and ask what your child thinks might happen next. Who is your child’s favorite character? Why? https://tpitip.com/?14aH18608

Balance screen time with activities that matter

Children learn by doing. The main problem with too many passive screen activities is that they keep kids from doing more productive things. Students are spending more time with screens to do schoolwork. So after school, make sure your child spends plenty of time reading, playing outdoors, making art, pretending or just thinking. These activities are vital for healthy development. https://tpitip.com/?14aI18608

When you set rules and limits, explain why

Children need and want limits. But don't simply make a rule and demand obedience from your child. Once kids are old enough to reason, they should be encouraged to do so. Understanding why they should or should not do things helps them make good decisions when adults aren't around. When you make a rule or set a boundary, explain why your child should obey it (and avoid saying things like, "Because I said so!"). https://tpitip.com/?14aJ18608

Share a strategy for success on matching tests

Tests in elementary school often have a matching section. To help your child score well, talk about how to answer this type of question. Remind your child to read all the directions carefully. Then your child should look to see whether one column is longer than the other. If so, some answers may not get used. Tell your child to match the easiest items first, and then cross out already used answers. That will narrow the choices for the tougher matches. https://tpitip.com/?14aK18608

Ask questions to encourage thinking

Not every problem your child will face will have an easy solution. So it's important to teach your student to ask questions and think things through. To promote this kind of thought, say things like, "I wonder why that happened" or "I wonder what might happen if …?" Encourage your child to ask questions about the world all around. And when your elementary schooler expresses an opinion, demonstrate how to find facts to support it. https://tpitip.com/?14aL18608 

Send your child off to sleep with positive thoughts

The last words you say to your child at bedtime will be the words that will echo in your elementary schooler’s brain all night. Make a daily habit of remembering the best thing your child did that day. Talk about it right before saying goodnight. https://tpitip.com/?14aM18608

A failing grade is feedback for the future

Your child didn't pass a test. What should you do? Think of F as standing for "feedback." First, notice anything your child got right. Then, help your student learn from the rest by asking questions such as: What kinds of questions did you miss? Did you miss them because of something you didn't read or remember from your notes or the book? Did you make careless errors on questions you knew? What does this test tell you about how you should prepare for the next one? https://tpitip.com/?14aN18608

Focus on planning and persistence, not perfection

Successful students don't quit when schoolwork gets difficult. To encourage an "I can finish this" attitude, never offer to complete a project for your elementary schooler. Instead, help your child develop step-by-step plans for completing assignments on time. Then, offer praise for effort on each step of the process, not just for the final result. Help your student keep in mind that persistence is more important for learning than perfection.

Encourage your child to jot down reading summaries

By the time your child has finished reading the last chapter of a book, are the details of the beginning long forgotten? It will be easier to write or do projects about books if your child stops to write a short summary (one or two paragraphs) after reading each chapter. Then, after finishing the book, your child will be ready to edit the notes into a final report, or to choose key events to highlight in a project.

Write and fold the way to spelling success 

Here's a tip that can help your child study spelling words: Divide a piece of paper into four columns, labeled Cover, Look, Write and Check. Your child should write a word in the Look column and say the letters aloud. Next, fold the Cover column over the Look column. Have your child write the word from memory in the Write column. Your student can verify accuracy by uncovering the Look column, and then write the word correctly in the Check column.

Siblings are great for encouraging reading

Studies show that children who see an older brother or sister reading for fun are more likely to seek out books themselves. Read together often as a family. And when it's time for new books, take your children to the library together. Let your younger child watch the big kids browsing and reading.

Turn words into action to improve writing

Writers carefully choose verbs that paint a picture of the action they want to convey. To help your child practice, play the Name That Action game. On slips of paper, write verbs that describe a precise action, like skip, hop, stomp, tiptoe, limp and crawl. Take turns drawing a slip and acting out the word. Whoever guesses the word goes next. Encourage your child to remember this game when writing. Choosing the right descriptive verb will make your child's writing come alive.

Get a jump-start on good behavior

A large part of discipline should happen before your child misbehaves. Creating a loving, respectful relationship with your child can motivate good behavior. Then, be sure to praise what your child does right. To prevent repeated misbehavior, make some changes. A child who is always cranky and slow in the morning, for example, may need an earlier bedtime.

Preserve school-year memories your child can be proud of

Show that you think your child is special by making a school memory book. Collect school-related mementos like photos of your child reading, the super-hard math problem your student finally solved, etc. In the spring, lay them on the floor in chronological order and let your child choose what to include to remember this school year. Put the items in a scrapbook. If you do it each year, your child will have a visual reminder of many things to be proud of.

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 a new 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 boost memory skills, encourage your child to
explain the material. Students think more about concepts when they put them into their own words.
Help your child compare and contrast a new concept with ones already learned. Drawing a picture or
symbol can also help your student 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 your student to read for fun and relaxation. Print out a story your child
can read in the bathtub. Cozy up under a blanket and read by flashlight. To find more time, limit
passive screen activities and offer reading as a replacement. The first two weeks may be hard, but it
will get easier.

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

Show faith in your child's ability to improve
When kids get low grades, parents worry. But reacting to a 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
encouragement on school mornings. Say "You can do this. I believe in you." You can also say that you
know your child will try hard. Your support may supply the confidence your elementary schooler
needs to live up to that promise!

Ask your child to help with holiday plans
Participating in family rituals gives kids a sense of belonging. This holiday season, create some new
traditions with your child. 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.

Promote a positive attitude about math
Students' feelings about math can affect their performance in it. They are more likely to do better on
a math assignment if they are calm and confident than if they are nervous or upset about it. To help
your child get in the mood for math, offer a reminder that effort makes math smarts grow. Send the
message that figuring out challenging problems is rewarding and fun. If your child is worried about
being up to the challenge, offer reassurance: "You know more than you think you do." 

Support new readers by taking turns
If your child is just starting to read, encourage practice by playing "I Read, You Read." Choose a book
your child can read. You read a sentence aloud, then have your child read it back to you. You can also
read all but the last word in a sentence and have your child supply the missing word. As your child's
reading skills improve, try reading one page and having your student read the next. 

Explain that effort is the way to get smarter
One of the most important messages you can give your child is "Smart is not something you just are.
Smart is something you can get." Children who are willing to work hard at a subject often learn more
and better than bright students who don't apply themselves. By studying, practicing and learning
from their mistakes, they get smarter, and their successes lead to more success. 

Explain that effort is the way to get smarter
One of the most important messages you can give your child is "Smart is not something you just are.
Smart is something you can get." Children who are willing to work hard at a subject often learn more
and better than bright students who don't apply themselves. By studying, practicing and learning
from their mistakes, they get smarter, and their successes lead to more success. 

A bookmark can help your child read smoothly
To help your child improve choppy, disconnected reading, get out a straight-edged bookmark. Placing
the bookmark under a sentence will help your child learn to scan the entire line instead of reading
word by word. Don't worry about the bookmark becoming a crutch. When it is no longer needed,
your child will set it aside. Taking it away too soon won't help. 

Celebrate, support and reconnect at bedtime
Is your family trying to do so many things that it is hard to keep track of one another, even in the
same house? Stay connected by gathering each night in a bedroom. Take turns sharing one positive
thing from your day. Share a least favorite thing, too. Your family will be able to celebrate the
positives together and help one another deal with any tough stuff that comes along. 

Teach techniques for calming down
Children who don't know how to calm down when they are upset can develop academic and social
problems. If stress, disappointment or hurt feelings have your child worked up, teach some coping
strategies: Your child could go to a bedroom to regroup. Or could share feelings with a trusted
person. Tackling a chore can help your child burn off energy and feel good about completing a task.
And your child can always ask you for a hug. 

Simple ways you can help with writing
How can you help when your elementary schooler has a writing assignment? It's fine to help your
child brainstorm about a topic, but let your child do the choosing. You can also answer a question or
two about how to spell a word, and offer praise when your child uses interesting words
appropriately. Then, encourage your student to find and fix errors ("I see a place in the first
paragraph where a sentence should end. Can you find it?"). Finally, urge your child to write a neat
final copy. 

What to do when your child lies to you
Children lie sometimes. But not all lies are alike. If your elementary schooler tells an obvious lie to
avoid trouble, calmly say that you expect your child to tell the truth. When your child admits to lying,
say you appreciate the honesty, but your child must still do (or not do) whatever was lied about. If
your child lies to create excitement, explain why it's better to tell the truth. But if your child lies often
and seems not to care, seek help from a school counselor or other professional. 

Start routines to make school mornings smoother
Getting back into school mode after a long summer break can be a challenge for some children. To
help your child make the transition, establish some daily routines. Explain the tasks you want your
child to do and post a schedule so your child knows what to do when. To further boost independence,
use silent signals sometimes, such as a gentle touch on your student's shoulder to indicate that it's
time to calm down or pay attention. 

Name-calling is no joke
Children have called each other names for centuries. But it's wrong to think that there's nothing
families or schools can or should do about it. Persistent name-calling, and name-calling with an intent
to hurt, are forms of bullying. Teach your child that this behavior is hurtful. Don't accept "I was just
joking," as an excuse. Voice your disapproval when you hear your child or anyone else putting
another person down. 

Develop your child's inner motivation
Students who are motivated only by the desire to get a good grade rarely do more than the minimum
they need to earn it. But students who are motivated from within are more likely to stick with a task
and retain what they've learned. At the start of project or reading assignment, discuss what your
child wants to learn from it. Along the way, ask your child to share new knowledge and celebrate
progress. 

Help your child practice reading to learn
Reading nonfiction is an important way students learn. A strong ability to remember what they read
is essential. To strengthen this ability, encourage your elementary schooler to preview the text by
reading the main headings and scanning the pictures. Next, your child should read the introduction,
summary and any questions that follow the passage. Finally, have your student read the chapter itself
in short sections, making sure to understand each section before moving on. 

Learn how to contact key school personnel
Family-school communication is more important than ever. Families need to know who they can turn
to with questions or concerns. Do you know the name of the school principal? Your child's counselor?
The nurse? If not, call the office or look on the website to find out who they are and how to contact
them. Introduce yourself when you are at school. Connecting with key people at school will make
your child's education journey go more smoothly. 

The 'power of one' makes a difference at school
You may not have time to volunteer at school regularly. But that doesn't mean you can't make a
difference. All you need to do is look for one task you can do to help this year. It could be working on
a fundraiser, chaperoning a field trip or recruiting volunteers for a project. Whatever it is, if you do
one thing and every other parent does one thing, the school will have more than enough volunteers. 

Review habits that help kids stay well
Student health and safety are a top priority for schools and families. Good nutrition, adequate rest
and medical care help prevent illness, but one of the simplest ways you can keep your child healthy
and learning is to teach effective hygiene. Make sure your child knows to wash hands frequently with
soap, and to use hand sanitizer if soap isn't available. Make it clear that your child shouldn't share
food, drinks, or clothing with other students. Then, if your child does get sick, follow school protocols
for returning to school. 

To support success, offer encouragement, not pressure

Learning is full of challenges and obstacles. Encouragement from families, rather than pressure, helps children face them. If your child feels stressed in the coming year, show that you care. Be available to listen. Respect your child's feelings, and explain that mistakes are just learning opportunities. Then help your child develop positive study habits. When studying is routine, it's easier to deal with the pressures of increasing workloads.

Positive learning habits help kids prepare for success

Start the new school year off right by encouraging positive habits your elementary schooler can rely on all year long. Help your child set learning goals, for example. Then regularly ask, "What will you do today to help you reach your goal?" Learning to think ahead will also help your child. You might say, "I know you plan to write your report next weekend. But what if the weather is nice and you want to play outside? What do you think about writing some of it today?"

Encourage a healthy body image

Were you critical of your looks when you were a child? Many kids feel uncomfortable about their physical appearance. To improve a poor body image, offer compliments. Even if you don't like an outfit or a haircut, there is probably something about your child's appearance you love. Say so. And don't make jokes about appearance or weight. Your child won't find them funny, and these jokes can be harmful.

Here's an easy formula for helping with math

You can help your elementary schooler learn math even if you don't remember any of the math you took in school. Ask your child questions about math work, such as "How did you arrive at that answer?" or "Look at this page of problems. Do you see a pattern?" It's also helpful to involve your child in practical math at home, such as measuring. Then, encourage regular practice by establishing a daily routine that includes time for math.

Provide opportunities to follow directions

Schoolwork and tests both require students to follow directions. To provide valuable practice, give your elementary schooler a detailed set of instructions for doing a task. (Baking a cake or making pizza from scratch is perfect.) Ask your child to read them out loud and circle the actions that are called for. Supervise as your child completes the task, then reread the directions together. Did your student follow them to the letter? If not, ask, "Can you figure out where you went wrong?"

Don't get stranded without a book

You have a long wait for an appointment, or a short car ride turns into a long standstill because of a flat tire. Whether you and your child are stuck for a few minutes or stranded for an hour, make the most of that time by reading. Keep a book or magazine stashed in the car or in a bag you take with you. It will provide a pleasant, productive way for you and your child to pass time during unexpected waits.

Reinforce the need for timeliness at school

Families juggle lots of commitments, and it isn't easy. But for success in school, it's important for your child to be in every class on time and ready to learn. Children who are on time are more inclined to take school seriously. On the other hand, allowing children to be late sends the message that school isn't that important and that rules can be broken. Reinforce the need for timeliness with your elementary schooler. Show how you plan ahead to be punctual, and make it clear that you expect your child to do the same.