Tips for Parents of Elementary School Children

 

Boost your child’s reading skills by reading aloud

 

Some parents stop reading aloud as soon as their child learns to read.  However, reading aloud can continue to be fun and will build reading skills, too.

 

When you read aloud with your child, choose books that are a bit harder than she could read on her own.  Leave a little time at the end for your child to read to you.  Then gradually increase the amount of time she reads aloud.

 

When your child reads to you, follow these tips:

 

Ø                 Let her choose the books she wants to read to you.  You will both have more fun if she is reading something she likes.

 

Ø                 Listen to see if she understands what she is reading.  Clues will come in the tone of her voice.  Does it rise for a question?

 

Ø                 Make sure the books she reads are easy and fun.  Her read-aloud time, like yours, should be mostly for fun.  If she reads books at her reading level, she will become more fluent-a skill she needs.

 

Ø                 Ask questions occasionally.  These questions should help her to think about what she is reading, and they don’t have to have a right answer.  Say, “Why do you think he did that?”

 

Ø                 Don’t help her too much.  If she can’t say a word, have her read to the end of the sentence.  Can she figure out the word then?  If not, tell her the word and let her move on.

 

Source:  Michael Popkin, Bettie Youngs & Jane Healy, Helping Your Child Succeed in School, (Active Parenting Publishers)

 

 

Tips for Parents of Middle Level Students

 

Teach your child the importance of managing money

 

Being able to manage money is a key life skill you can teach your child.  This lesson can help her do better in school as well.  Money management sharpens skills in math and economics.  It also builds responsibility and decision-making skills.  Give your child lessons on:

 

·         Price and value.  Your child probably knows that a five-dollar can of coffee costs more than a two-dollar can of coffee.  However, what if a big can lasts longer than three small cans?  Have her solve this problem.

 

·         Cost of Living.  Many children think their parents simply write checks and withdraw money from the bank.  They have no idea how the money gets there or how much is spent to cover basic needs.  You don’t need to tell your child your income, but make her aware of expenses.

 

·         Needs and want.  Does your child know the difference between needs and wants?  Teach her to take care of the former and save for the latter.  Model this by doing it yourself!  Example:  A winter coat in a snowy climate is a need and may not be able to wait.  Buying jeans when you already have some is a want and can wait.

 

Source:  The Mint, “Tips for Parents,” Northwestern Mutual Foundation.