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10 Ways to Support Your Child’s Teacher (That You May Not Have Thought Of)!

Everyone knows that they are supposed to support their kids through school. Well, in theory anyways, everyone knows this. You’re not supposed to bash your child’s teacher in front of your child, you’re supposed to provide time to do homework, etc. But have you thought of these things that would help your child’s teacher?

1. Use regular, old fashioned watches with hands!

You would be amazed at the amount of children who do not know how to tell time by looking at a short hand and a long hand. The year that you start seeing worksheets with clock hands on it, make a point to give your kids a watch so they can practice using their skills.

2. Eat dinner together when at all possible.

I know many consider this good parenting and I know I’ve mentioned this before. But studies show that the single most important factor in a child’s academic success is when a family eats dinner together.

3. Give your kids chores.

Many kids seem to lack work ethic. They want to do the minimal amount to get by. Teach them that their finished product is reflective of them as a person. A good work ethic will always pay off, both in school and in life.

4. Volunteer at school–with your kids if possible.

I know this is kind of a novel idea. However, if your child’s school will allow, spend an afternoon picking up the grounds. Teaching your child that a) someone has to pick up after them and b) the grounds are an important part of the school will help your child have respect for other’s property. If nothing else, he will likely never litter again!

5. Don’t help with major projects.

If you have to help because it takes skills your child doesn’t have (like putting together a display) make your child write down exactly what you did. This way the teacher can see your child’s “real” work.

6. Read to your kids.

Okay–you’ve likely thought of this one. But it cannot be said enough. Reading to your child improves their reading skills, and boosts their vocabulary. Children who are read to throughout childhood (even up until 9th grade!) do better on their SAT’s, in school, and are generally more articulate!

7. If you disagree with a rule–show your child how to change it.

It is okay to not like all of your school’s rules. It is even okay if your child knows you don’t like those rules. However, it is not okay to complain about them or to bicker over them. Teaching your child that there is a process for changing or debating over rules that you disagree with is a valuable lesson for the “real world”. There is due process in real life and there is at school too. Showing your child how to present a logical, well thought out and well reasoned response to a situation is valuable. Even if you don’t win your case–there is a lesson to be learned there as well.

8. Take your kids to engaging places when there‘s no school.

I am biased here but I hate to see the droves of parents go into the book store in the summer and buy all those work books so their child can do “school work” over the summer. If your child is really behind–okay fine. But most parents just want their kids to get ahead. If you really want your child to get ahead of the class take them to engaging places and then discuss it. They will learn so much more at the Science Museum than they will sitting at the kitchen table working on times tables all summer.

9. Let them help you in the kitchen.

Cooking is one of those things that I think every mom should pass down to their child. First of all, kids need to understand that the meal doesn’t magically appear on the table. Secondly, it involves measuring, a skill that for some reason so many kids lack. It also involves following directions. (And following directions by the way is a valuable leadership skill.)

10. Buy something for her classroom.

Teachers often spend their own money on classroom supplies. They generally do so without reimbursement. Get together with the other parents in your child’s class and pitch in and buy something. If you don’t know what to get, get a gift certificate for the local educational supply store. Guess what? That very thing that she chooses is likely to benefit your child.

I realize that parents are busy. I know it’s hard to do things all the time–especially for single parents. I am definitely not saying that you have to do all 10 things. But try one or two this year! There’s still 3 quarters left!

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