Parenting Tips: Helping Your Child Achieve Academic Success Brochure

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Parental effort has a strong positive effect on student achievement, and has been consistently associated with higher levels of student achievement. The impact of parental support is substantial.

Researchers believe that parents usually seem more interested in the academic achievements of their daughters, spending more time talking to their daughters about their school work during dinnertime discussions. Girls may get more attention since they are usually easier to talk to and more communicative than boys.

Get your child to school, prepared to learn.

Provide your child with the supplies and tools to keep them organized. If you can't afford supplies, ask your school's teacher or counselor for help.
Use a planner or a calendar to fill out daily with assignments for every subject for your child. Work with your child to set up a homework routine, including a quiet, comfortable and well-lit work space.

Ensure your child eats a hearty, whole-grain breakfast, avoiding sugary foods that can cause hyperactivity.

Make sure your student gets enough sleep. Preschoolers typically need at least 11 hours of sleep, children ages 5 to 12 need 10 hours and teens need at least nine hours of sleep, according to the National Sleep Foundation.

Stay informed. Know what your child is doing. The best way to start is to ask questions about what's happening at school every day. Ask questions that require more than just a yes or no answer.

Attend school events such as back-to-school nights and parent conferences, and provide your e-mail address and phone number to your child's teachers. Keep track of your student's monthly progress.

If teachers relay negative information about your child, try not to get defensive. Instead, work with the teacher on problem-solving strategies you might try at home.

Motivate your child to get involved in school or other extracurricular activities. The more students feel connected to their school, the greater their chances for success. Get your child involved in extracurricular activities like athletics or special-interest clubs.

Students do much better in school When
their parents are actively involved in their education.

Spend time at family meals asking about your child's interests, and encourage them to pursue a related activity.

Eat at least one meal together each day. Teachers find that the students who are successful almost always eat together with their parents or guardians. If dinnertime is too hectic for a family gathering, try having a family breakfast.

Tell your children each day what you expect them to accomplish. Map out their activities, assignments and plans for the day. She set expectations for your children and keep them informed about what is going on in your family.

Encourage learning outside the school day. Students simply require more time at home working on math and reading with their parents to make progress each year.

Take your child to the library, museums and other cultural and educational outings. Limit the amount of TV and video games.

Urge your child to read in addition to what is required in school. Help your youngest kids learn to read each night, and model reading to your older kids. Set aside a time to read as a family.

Use technology to help you. The Internet can be a powerful educational resource when appropriately blocked or guarded. If you're afraid to use the internet, let your student help you along the way. Most teachers use internet based learning programs in class with your child already.

For more information about services
for parents and children in Prince George’s County, contact:

Prince George’s County Health Department
301-883-7879
TTY/STS Dial 711 for MD Relay
www.princegeorgescountymd.gov/health

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