School - What a parent can do

Here are some things that you as a parent can do for your child so they are successful in school.

Encourage Reading:

• read to your child every day
• have your child draw a picture of his favorite part of the story
• ask your child to retell the story
• ask questions about a favorite character, favorite part, or what will happen next
• play rhyming games with the words in a story

Math -  make it a part of everyday:

• use objects to count, sort and estimate
• have your child help when you cook
• practice finding things shaped like circles, triangles, squares, etc. 
• estimate and then count things, how many steps to the car, to the bus stop, or how long it will take to drive somewhere. 
• have your child to pay for things at the store

Language Development: 

• talk to your child about the tasks that you do everyday
• use descriptive words - more, less, hot, cold, wet, dry and so on
• use words like behind, in front of, next to, above, below, etc. 
• talk about how things feel, taste, smell, look
• categorize things - pastas, cereal, toy cars, trains, blocks, etc. 
• use accurate words, not baby talk or made up words. 

Health and Development: 

• make sure your child gets enough sleep
• make sure your child eats nutritious snacks
• provide opportunities for physical activity everyday