"A word of encouragement after a failure is worth more than an hour of praise after success."
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Be generous with praise
Observe your child carefully and comment on the things that are done well.
When you see an area that needs improvement, find a positive way to talk about it with your child.
Encourage "personal best"
Help your child by encouraging him or her to do the best in school and at home. Remember, "personal best" does not mean "perfect", and learning is not the same as high grades. Children, like adults, need the freedom to make mistakes and to learn from them.
Make learning a priority
Your attitude toward school attendance, education and involvement in the school makes a strong and lasting impression on your child. Show your child, by example, that learning is a priority.
Show interest in school work
- Talk about school each day.
- Ask to see classwork.
- Have your child read aloud to you.
- Read to and with your child from a variety of material in your first language.
- Encourage your child to discuss new ideas and opinions.
- Show appreciation for good efforts.
Offer suggestions for success
Help your child use the following strategies to improve performance in school:
- Read the assignment when it is given.
- Keep a list of new vocabulary.
- Proofread assignments to catch errors before writing a final draft.
- Review notes before a test.
Schedule study time
Set up an area for homework away from noise and distractions. Post a family calendar that schedules school project deadlines, after-school activities, mid-term dates, exam periods and report card dates.
Effort and Success
There are 4 factors involved in success.
- Ability/talent (example – He’s good at basketball because he’s tall. She does well because she’s smart.)
- Other people (example – His mom helps him practice basketball. She aced the test because the teacher likes her writing style better.)
- Luck (example – That free throw was a lucky shot. She was lucky that she guessed the right choice on her test.)
- Effort (example – He practices every day, which is why he’s great at basketball. She studied all week to do well on her test.)
It is important that students know that the only factor that they can personally control is effort, which is why it is so huge to be someone who works and tries hard!