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Answers for Parents: Creating an Atmosphere for Learning at Home

This advice was compiled for parents and teachers who are working together to teach children — from pre-school to high school — that learning is for life!

How can parents show that they value learning?

• Be certain your child sees you writing and reading.
• Provide a regular conversation time -- perhaps at meals -- where everyone in the family can practice polite listening and taking turns.
• Make up stories, songs, and games with your children.
• Show you are really listening, giving your child your full attention.
• Practice reading, math, and writing skills with your child in your daily routine: cooking, shopping, building, or doing other daily work.
• Have library cards and take trips to the library.
• Ask school and community librarians for recommended reading lists.
• Borrow literature about education and child development from teachers.
• Plan family vacations with an eye toward your child's school schedule.

What do children need?

• Children need TIME to work
  • Establish a regular family study (quiet) time.
  • Schedule a regular time for "learning activities."
• Children need SPACE to work
  • Provide a quiet (no TV!), comfortable, well-lighted place for studying.
  • Have different kinds of paper, pencils, markers, paints, scissors, glue, and other basic supplies accessible.
• Children need SUPPORT
  • Develop responsibility and independence at home.
  • Know the school's homework policy.
  • Communicate regularly with your child's teachers.
  • Expect feedback from teachers about homework.
  • Find out the teachers' expectations -- for example, are you expected to check homework?
  • Keep track of routine assignments: spelling, memorization of basic facts, independent reading, math problem solving, journal writing.
  • Boost your child's self-image by providing positive reinforcement and encouragement.
  • Be aware of the school schedule and ask questions about your child's day.
  • Withhold judgment when your child's answer to a homework problem appears to be incorrect. Ask your child how he/she figured out the answer -- you might be amazed!
• Children need RECOGNITION
  • Display your child's work.
  • Praise your child's work in front of friends and relatives.
  • Make it a point to compliment some portion of your child's work and to recognize even a small improvement.
  • Treasure your child's work by saving samples every year.
• Children need a BALANCE of activities
  • Be aware of stress levels, both healthy and unhealthy.
  • Provide time for outdoor exercise and learning.
  • Spend quality time with children individually: talking, playing card games or board games, cooking, practicing shared reading, exercising, making models.
  • Provide unstructured time for thinking, dreaming, and playing.
  • Allow time for "child's play," time with other children that is not directed by adults.
  • Schedule vacations.
  • Be sure your child enjoys a variety of activities and does not spend an inordinate amount of time at any single activity.

What can children do during regular learning activities time at home?

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