Regardless of whether your child goes to public school, home school, or something in between there are ways you can develop their love of learning and improve their education. Here are fifteen suggestion in no particular order.
1) Love Unconditionally- It may seem like a big "DUH" to most parents, but some parents need to be reminded to let their kids know they are proud of them for trying their best.
2) Know Your State Standards- Make sure your students are learning everything they need to know. Occasionally some teachers teach to the standardized tests leaving little time for social studies and science. If your child then gets a teacher the following year that expects them to already know standards that may have been deficient in another classroom they might struggle.
3) Identify Your Child's Learning Style- There are three learning styles: kinesthetic aka tactile, visual, auditory. If your child is struggling with a subject, you may find it is only being taught using one learning style that isn't theirs. Work on their homework with them in a way that addresses their learning style. More on this in a future post.
4) Identify Your Child's Dominant Multiple Intelligences- once again, knowing how your child learns and what their intellectual strengths are allow you to work with your child in a way that will keep them interested and successful. More on Howard Gardner's theory in a future post.
5) Feed the Brain- consider their school day schedule when planning their meals. Carbs will give them a burst of energy for physical activity which would be needed at lunch going into recessor for a morning starting with specials like PE or music. If your student starts whole morning is academic mostly sitting at a desk, consider starting the day of with protein. And don't forget those Omegas!
6) Take a Field Trip- is your preschooler learning about apples? Visit an orchard? Is your first grader studying the rain forest? Visit the rain forest habitat at the zoo. Is your fourth grader studying state history and culture? Visit a battlefield or southwest museum depending on where you live. I think you get where I'm going with this. Want a field trip idea? Tell me what your child is studying, what grade, and where you live I will recommend a field trip.
7) Understand Gender Learning Difference- Did you know boys commonly learn better if they are physically moving? That is one reason the traditional classroom environment of sitting quietly at a desk is better suited for girls. More about this in a future post.
8) Know Developmental Milestones- How many blocks should a three year old be able to stack? What physical and emotion milestones are expected? Check out this link for ages 5-8 http://www.babycenter.com/big-kid#band1
9) Use What They Like- if curriculum allows, let them pick their own silent reading materials on whatever subject they like. Check out their toy box for math manipulatives. Talk about the math and science involved in skateboarding or gymnastics.
10) Creative Learning Through Play- don't underestimate the value of free time. Social interaction can be an important part of free play. Develop their vocabulary by having dialogue with your child while they play. What character is your favorite? What does he look like? What accessories does he have?
11) Advocate for Your Child- whatever your child's need are, be sure they get met. If they are gifted, get them tested for gifted programs. If they have physical disabilities, make sure they have a 504, IEP or similar equivalent. Are they being bullied? Talk to the teacher, team leader, principal, or whoever until it is addressed.
12) Use Technology- let kids make their own movies, record songs, play learning games, make digital art, take pictures, create a webpage, or whatever they'd like, but don't forget t supervise.
13) Communicate- have a dialogue with your student about their life. What happened at school? Who are there friends? What to they like best or least about their teacher? What's their favorite special? Check out my upcoming posts 5 Questions to Ask About Homework and 5 Questions to Ask About Their School Day.
14) Real World Application- it is important that students understand what they learn in the classroom has real world application. If they are learning about money, let them go shopping. If they are learning about fractions have them help bake a cake or slice up the pizza for the whole family.
15) It Takes a Village- think about all the adults involved in teaching your child: classroom teachers, teacher aids, specials teachers, daycare, babysitters, coaches, private lesson instructors, spiritual leaders, friends, family, internship directors, and I'm sure I missed somebody. Are all these educators on the same page as you for manners, behavior, and discipline?
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