Dictionary For Dads

Parents play an important role in their childrens ability to excel academically on all levels of education. Every parent should be involved in their childrens education. In order for children to succeed in academics there needs to be a good foundation in place in the home. There also needs to be routines, boundaries, support, family communication and rules which govern the home. These components create stability for your family and provide an environment which is conducive to your children's ability to learn and achieve academics success.

• Provide your children a quiet area to study and do homework in your home. Make sure that this area has proper lighting. Do not let them study in bed that is where they sleep. Academics should be important enough to have a dedicated area in your home.

• Encourage your child to read every day. This is done best by setting an example. Actions speak louder than words so demonstrate this to your child by reading, reading to your children and encouraging them to read. The number one activity linked to academic success is reading.

• Maintain consistent communication with your childrens teachers to make sure what you are doing at home is supporting your childrens work in school. Become familiar with all of their teacher so they feel comfortable calling you. Some teachers are shy too! Always check and show a tremendous amount of interest in tests, book reports, science projects and progress reports/report cards. If you as a parent demonstrate  little value to these educational aspects, your children will as well.

• If your children are experiencing difficulty with a concept or subject that you are not familiar with (or forgot) call the school and ask if extra support or tutoring is available for your child.

• Always provide positive reinforcement and verbal praise to your children for for their demonstration of homework skills, academic efforts discipline and achievements. 

• Set a fixed time each day for study and homework. Do not negotiate or fluctuate with the house schedule. If the homework assignments are minimal that day advise the child that they should use the time to put extra effort into their toughest subject or read. The amount of Homework should not dictate the time!
  

• Inquire about your childrens homework every day and check to see that it is completed. It is a good idea to reinforce in your child from a very young age the importance of taking pride in their work. Parents should always demonstrate an interest in what your child is learning and offer realistic application to that knowledge. Make it fun by telling them that ice cream cones cost 1.25 each...if you can figure out how much money I will need to take the family to get one cone each after your math homework we will go.

• Make sure your children always have the required school supplies such as notebooks, pens, pencils, sharpener etc.. It is embarrassing for a child to show up without the required tools to do a project in school. Furthermore it is irresponsible of a parent to send their children to school unprepared.
  

*Always ensure your children get enough sleep, eats properly, exercises and gets to school on time every day. Consistency is key to academic success.

In addition to the home being a conducive environment for learning, parents must also make sure the school is as well. Do not be naive, all schools are not created equal.

Dictionary for Dads suggests that you make sure that your childrens school meets the state standards and guidelines as an academic institution. Make sure the school has the proper state certification and it is up to date. Furthermore, inquire about the standing or the quality of the school compared to other local and state schools. This information is available through the use of state administered standardized testing which the school should provide you if you ask.

Check to see if the school is using current work books, computers and literature to teach their lessons. Some schools we researched while writing this article have an independent philosophy and use material that Dictionary For Dads considers to be out dated. Ask the principal what teaching methods the school commonly practices or subscribes to. If you are not familiar or educated on the methods explained to you research them so you can determine if they are recognized, proven, current, accepted and effective methods of teaching. Also consider your children's personality and if these methods will work for them. Examine the school's daily academic schedule and if you are unsure, inquire about how much time will be spent on Reading Comprehension, Math skills, Social Studies, Science and Physical Activities. 

Parents should always ask about the credentials of the teachers in the school and the years of experience that they have. Also inquire if any of the teachers or other employees in the school have had any history of ethical, moral or legal infractions.

Other considerations are: gender and racial statistics of the student population, history of violence or bullying at the school, sports and arts programs, tutoring and after school programs, transportation, accessibility and services for handicapped children, special education classes, ADHD support and school safety. Dictionary for dads believes that you should choose a well rounded school that embraces a rich diversity of students and provides quality education.

Many parents are too shy to make these inquiries. Dont Be That Parent! This is all part of being a responsibile parent and ensuring the safety, education and success of your children.

• Encourage your children to do the best that they can. Tell them to trust the process of eduction and remind them that they did all the preparation that they can.

• Encourage them to have a positive attitude. Positive attitudes bring positive results negative attitudes bring negative results.

• Encourage your children to listen and read the test taking instructions very carefully. Instruct them to not be afraid to raise their hands and ask the teacher if they do not comprehend any part of the instructions before they take the test.

• Tell your children if they get stuck on a test question to skip it. Advise your children to complete the test the best they can and to go back to the question/s that they had a problem with if they have time.

• Advise your children that if it is between two answers always go with their initial gut feeling.

• Advise your children to use the test taking time to their advantage. They should always go back over the test and check for accuracy if time permits regardless of how well they think they did.