eTips

Monday, February 10, 2025
A lot of learning can happen in just a few minutes
In as little as five minutes a day, you can help your child learn. You can ask a question to stimulate creative thinking (What if the sun came up at night?). Or, ask your child to express an opinion and back it up with reasons (What is your favorite book? Why?). You can tell a story full of information about the real world, or simply say "I love you." Children need to feel loved to take the risks necessary to learn.

Tuesday, February 11, 2025
Plan to spend some time outside together|
Spending time outdoors as a family can build muscles and strengthen relationships. And nature offers many opportunities to build your child's observation skills. Even in cold weather you and your child may be able to bundle up for a hike in a nearby park. Notice all the things that you can't see when the leaves are on the trees. You can even set up a birdfeeder together and chart the different kinds of birds you see.

Wednesday, February 12, 2025
Be a cheerleader for your child
Research says that students are better able to tackle challenging school assignments when their families act like cheerleaders rather than drill sergeants. Cheerleaders never let their children put themselves down. They consistently say things like, "Sure, this is hard, but you've done work this hard before. You can do it!" And their children begin to believe the message and rise to the challenge.

Thursday, February 13, 2025
Break writing tasks down into easy steps
Many students struggle with putting their thoughts on paper. To help your child with a writing assignment, break the process into steps. The first step is to list everything your child knows about the topic. Next, ask what your child would like to say about the things on the list. Talking ideas through can make writing easier. After writing a draft, have your child put it aside for a day, then reread it and brainstorm about what would make it better.

Friday, February 14, 2025
Play a picture game to encourage caring for others
Children are naturally self-centered. But to become good students, they must learn to see and think about people beyond themselves. One way to help your child become more aware is to play a picture game. Gather photographs of people in a variety of situations. Take turns looking at a picture and describing how the people in it might feel. Start at the physical level. Imagine what people in the picture see and hear. Are they cold or warm? Then, imagine what they might be thinking or feeling.

Saturday, February 15, 2025
Put your child in charge of some regular self-care tasks
Sometimes, all it takes to help children become more capable is a change in attitude. Each month, think about all the tasks you do for your student. Choose one you can hand over, such as packing lunch. Then, help your child learn the necessary skills to do the task. Provide a chance to practice, then put your child in charge. Make it clear how proud you are of all the things your child can do!

Sunday, February 16, 2025
Make learning math vocabulary a game
When children learn math, they also need to learn a whole new vocabulary. To make learning math words fun, play Math Concentration. Here's how: Write each term on an index card. Write its definition on another index card. Deal out five or six pairs of index cards face down, then take turns turning over two cards at a time. The goal is to make a match by turning over a term and its definition. The player with the most matches wins.

Monday, January 13, 2025
Strive for balance in your child's schedule
Children need a balanced mix of schoolwork, outside activities, family time and free time. Don't worry about trying to cram every possible enrichment activity into this year. Instead, let your student explore one or two activities in depth. Children also need free time to play, read and explore ideas on their own, and family time to build supportive relationships.

Tuesday, January 14, 2025
Set the standard for respectful behavior
Self-control and respectful behavior among students make school a pleasant and productive learning environment. To teach these behaviors at home, work with your child to set clear rules and consequences. Talk together about school rules, too, and let your student know that you support them. Then, model the behavior you want to see from your child.

Wednesday, January 15, 2025
Turn history facts and figures into a game
When your child has to memorize historical names, dates and events, make it fun by playing a round or two of History Concentration. On one index card, write a person's name. On another, write the event or thing the person is known for. Make several pairs of cards and lay them face down. Take turns with your child turning over cards to see who can find more matches.

Thursday, January 16, 2025
Inspire your child's desire to learn
Students who are motivated only by rewards rarely do more than the minimum needed to get by. But children who are motivated by their own desire to learn are more likely to stick with a task, retain what they learn and earn higher grades. To inspire inner motivation, ask what your child wants to learn from a project. Point out progress, and ask your child to share new knowledge with you.

Friday, January 17, 2025
Your child can learn a lot from tests
Students often think that learning is only necessary before a test. But a lot of learning can happen afterward, too. When children review tests and identify the kinds of mistakes they make, they can learn how not to repeat them. Mistakes are commonly careless errors, or the result of lack of preparation or poor habits. Encourage your child to correct mistakes on tests. Then, brainstorm together about ways to avoid making the same kinds of errors again.

Saturday, January 18, 2025
Make it easy for your child to tell the truth
Honesty is a habit. To help your child develop it, point out honesty when you see it. If your child hasn't done something you've asked, but honestly admits it, praise the honesty. "You do need to go make your bed now, but I'm glad you told the truth." And if your child isn't honest? Ask why not. "Were you afraid of getting in trouble?" Then ask, "What might you have done instead of lying?" Praise your child for coming to the right conclusion.

Sunday, January 19, 2025
Let boredom teach time management skills
Time management is an important school skill. Learning to manage free time to avoid boredom is helpful practice for students. Build your child's skills by limiting recreational screen use and encouraging self- entertainment. Express confidence in your child's abilities: "I know you can think of something to do." To avoid trouble, be sure to stay aware of what your child is up to.

Monday, November 11, 2024
School friendships help students thrive Children learn a lot from their friends, such as loyalty, sharing, leading, and following. And research says friends can also help children do better in school. Children who know they have school friends are more likely to take positive risks, such as trying out for a team or participating in class. Encourage friendships by inviting your child's school friends to join your family for an activity.

Tuesday, November 12, 2024
Teach your child a hands-on way to learn spelling Here's a tip that can help your child study spelling words: Divide a piece of paper into four columns, labeled Cover, Look, Write and Check. Your child should write a word in the Look column and say the letters aloud. Next, fold the Cover column over the Look column. Have your child write the word from memory in the Write column, and then uncover the Look column and write the word correctly in the Check column.

Wednesday, November 13, 2024
Choose discipline that promotes learning Did you know the word "discipline" comes from a Latin word that means "instruction or training"? Most experts agree that the goal of all discipline should be to teach children, not to punish them. The late Dr. Lee Salk, a noted pediatrician and family dynamics researcher, suggested that discipline should be an "element in showing love for a child." What are your family's discipline policies teaching your child?

Thursday, November 14, 2024
Post a family schedule of routine tasks Are you tired of reminding your child when to do what? Post a schedule the whole family can live by. List mealtimes, snack times, reading time, chore times and bedtimes. Use a different color of ink for each family member. Before doing something that's not part of the routine, your child should check the schedule to make sure that required tasks for that time are finished.

Friday, November 15, 2024
Use loving notes to build vocabulary You can increase your child's vocabulary and positive feelings by including an encouraging note with your elementary schooler’s lunch. From time to time, write a note to say you are proud of your student. Use simple words your child knows and a few challenging words that your child might have to sound out or look up. Your student will enjoy getting it and may even write back to you!

Saturday, November 16, 2024
Creating acronyms can help your child remember to help your child learn lists of related words or facts, demonstrate how to use acronyms (words made up from the first letters of a group of words). To remember the names of the Great Lakes, for example, your child can think of the acronym HOMES, which stands for Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie and Superior. What other acronyms can your child make up for lists of words to remember?

Sunday, November 17, 2024
Help your child stay organized with checklists Help your child learn to be organized for school by encouraging the use of checklists. For example, your child can use a "head-to-toe" checklist to make sure to be ready to go out the door: "My hat is on my head, my coat is on my body, my backpack is on my back. My gloves are on my hands. My boots are on my feet." Have your student make another list of items needed for school each day. Post it where your child can check it while organizing and packing up the night before.

Monday, October 28, 2024
Create a routine to take the hassle out of study time
Schoolwork isn't on most kids' lists of favorite things to do at home. But it doesn't have to be a hassle. To make study time go more easily at your house, set a regular weekday time for it. If your child is irritable or tired, offer a healthy snack beforehand. Hunger can be a big distraction. It may also help to give your child 30 minutes to run around outside and blow off steam before settling down.

Tuesday, October 29, 2024
Discuss ways to respond to bullying
Bullying can damage children physically and emotionally. It can also affect their ability to do well in school. If your child is being picked on, make it clear that it is not your child's fault. Then, talk about things students can do to stop it, such as ignoring the bully and walking away. Carefully monitor the situation, and if the bullying continues or gets worse, take action: Talk to the school principal or counselor and work together to resolve the issue.

Wednesday, October 30, 2024
Encourage reading, one chapter at a time
Foster excitement about the idea of reading by introducing your child to the pleasures of chapter books. Find a book you think your student will enjoy. It could be a classic or a new book recommended by a teacher or the librarian. Have your child read (or you read aloud) just one chapter a night. Then, talk about the story. Ask your child to predict what will happen next. If your child enjoys the book, see if it has a sequel and read that one, too!

Thursday, October 31, 2024
Pumpkin math is a seasonal treat
Today is a great day to do some pumpkin math with your child! Get a pumpkin, and have your child: Estimate how much the pumpkin weighs. Weigh the pumpkin, and then add or subtract to see how much heavier or lighter it is than the estimate. Estimate, and then measure, how many inches the pumpkin is around at its widest point (its circumference). Then, cut the pumpkin open and have your child count its seeds by fives, 10s and 20s.

Friday, November 01, 2024
Help your child move beyond negative feelings
Many adults tend to dismiss children's negative feelings. They respond to "I hate reading" with "Don't be silly." But acknowledging children's feelings can help them move on to finding solutions. Accept your child's feelings, even as you stop unacceptable behavior. "I know you're feeling frustrated by reading, but you need to keep trying." Then ask, "Why do you feel that way? What seems to be hard? What do you think might help?"

Saturday, November 02, 2024
Show off your child's work in a special gallery
Displaying excellent and improved schoolwork in your home builds your child’s self-image as a capable student. But there isn't always room on the refrigerator. One mom created a family gallery by installing a strip of corkboard along a hallway wall, low enough for her children to reach. Now the kids put their own work up for family viewing, and the displays change all year long!

Sunday, November 03, 2024
Celebrate the season with art projects
Art teaches many lessons, including cause and effect, problem-solving and self-expression. And it is creative fun! This month, make some seasonal crafts together. Celebrate National Origami Day on November 11 by learning to fold paper creations. Later in the month, turn brown paper lunch bags into colorful turkey puppets. Have your child draw a turkey's face on the bag's bottom, then decorate half a paper plate like a turkey's tail. Glue the plate to the bag so it sticks up behind the face.

Monday, September 23, 2024
Encourage creative writing, one sentence at a time.
A little daily writing practice helps elementary schoolers build skills. To make it fun, provide a special notebook and ask your child to write down the first sentence of a made-up story. Then, each day, have your child add one sentence, and only one, to move the story along. It's helpful to set aside a regular time for this writing. Once a week, suggest adding an illustration. In time, your child will have written an imaginative and fun story.

Tuesday, September 24, 2024
Let your child know that science and math are for everyone.
Research suggests that children's attitudes toward math and science tend to be set in elementary school, and their families' attitudes play a part in this. Support success in these subjects by expressing confidence in your child's abilities to master them. Point to diverse role models, and let your child know that math and science are for everyone, not just one kind of person.

Wednesday, September 25, 2024
Write your child a note to reinforce responsibilities.
You've told your child over and over to clean up. But toys and dirty clothes still cover your child's bedroom floor. To avoid losing your cool in frustration, try leaving your child a note. You might write: "Your room needs to be picked up. Please put your clothes in the hamper. Put the toys on the shelf. Return dirty dishes to the kitchen. Thanks in advance." Kids love getting notes, and your child will have a checklist to follow.

Thursday, September 26, 2024
Turn family activities into bedtime stories.
Have you run out of bedtime story ideas? Try giving your characters names that rhyme with family members' names. Then, have the characters relive family events or look forward to the next day's activities. This is also a good way to reinforce desired behavior: If your family is going on an outing the next day, the characters in a bedtime story could make their parents happy by getting ready on time without fighting.

Friday, September 27, 2024
Use a conversation game to find out about school.
To encourage conversations about school, play a game called My Day, Your Day. In the evening, encourage your child to ask you a question about your day. After you answer, you get to ask a question about your child's day. This helps children feel involved, rather than interrogated. Ask questions that require more than a one-word answer. Specific questions, like "What did you do in math today?" are better than general ones like "How was your day?"

Saturday, September 28, 2024
Give your child the facts about tough topics.
Experts say the best time to begin talking to kids about difficult issues is when they are between ages nine and 11. They're old enough to grasp the complexity of an issue but they're still young enough to listen. When you have conversations, find out what your child already knows. Share facts without exaggerating and explain your position. Then, set an example by making sure your actions support your words.

Sunday, September 29, 2024
Families are valued partners in education.
There is a mountain of evidence showing that family engagement makes a big difference in children's education. Your involvement can improve student achievement, attendance, and give your child a more positive attitude toward school. Plus, you'll get a better understanding of school programs and policies. Ask the teacher or principal how you can get involved.

Monday, September 09, 2024

 Model the ways people show civic responsibility

 Members of a democratic society have many rights...and many responsibilities. To foster civic responsibility, set an example. Attend a meeting of the PTA or school board with your child. Take part in community service projects as a family. Expect your child to help out at home. Help your elementary schooler see that when everyone contributes, everyone benefits.

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Tuesday, September 10, 2024

 Estimate the tasty way with popcorn

 Popcorn is a delicious tool to use to build an important math skill: estimating. Here's how: Have your child estimate how many kernels of popped popcorn it will take to fill a glass. Then, get popping and have your child count to check the answer. Now, knowing that, how many popped kernels does your child think it will take to fill a small bowl? Fill the bowl, and count the pieces as your elementary schooler eats them. How close was your child's estimate?

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Wednesday, September 11, 2024

 Discuss polite ways to avoid being a pushover

It warms an adult's heart to see a child being kind and considerate. But children who always let others go first or have their way need to know that their feelings matter, too. Listen carefully as your child tells you about a situation. Then, brainstorm what your child could have done or said to politely assert feelings, opinions, wants and needs. Don't confuse your child by saying, "You're too nice" or "Why are you always giving in?"

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Thursday, September 12, 2024

 When you volunteer to help the school, amazing things happen

 "Volunteers work for free, but not for nothing," say families who have given time to help the school. When you get involved, you'll not only learn what's going on, you'll develop your own skills. And you'll have more things to talk about with your child. What's more, it won't take long to see that your efforts make a difference not only for your child, but also for lots of other students.

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Friday, September 13, 2024

 Take steps to help if your child struggles this year

 Learning isn't always easy. If schoolwork is a struggle for your child this year, ask the teacher what help may be available from the school, and how you can help at home. Then, help your child set some realistic short-term goals to let your student experience success and build some confidence. Help your child stick to a study routine, and offer encouragement by sharing how you worked through struggles when you were young.

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Saturday, September 14, 2024

Students who miss school miss out on learning

 The school is responsible for teaching your child. But your help is essential, especially when it comes to your child's attendance. Learning builds day by day. A child who misses a day of school also misses a day of learning, and it can be difficult to catch up. When you prioritize a habit of daily school attendance, you help your child see that education matters. And that sets your student up for success.

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Sunday, September 15, 2024

 Sketching teaches your child to take a closer look

 Observation is an important skill in both art and science. To boost your child's powers of observation, plan a visit to a park, garden or anywhere you can find interesting plants. Give your child a sketch pad to take along. While observing the plants, have your elementary schooler choose an interesting one to draw. Later, you might visit a museum together to see the drawings of flowers and plants done by artists or scientists.

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Monday, August 19, 2024
Demonstrate respectful relationships for your child Children tune in to just about everything the adults in their families say and do. If the adults are disrespectful to each other, children conclude that this behavior is OK for them, too. Let your child see that you are willing to talk and solve problems politely. When you behave respectfully and cooperatively, your child will learn to do the same.

Tuesday, August 20, 2024
Promote cooperation at home "Many hands make light work." When everyone in the family is expected to help get household tasks and projects done, your child learns cooperation as well as practical skills. Here are some chore guidelines: Make everyone's assignments clear. Keep in mind that boys and girls can learn to do the same tasks, and make yours an equal opportunity household. When your child has finished a task, don't redo it. This can make kids feel incapable. Instead, give pointers for improving next time.

Wednesday, August 21, 2024
Respectful behavior has not gone out of style Respectful behavior improves interactions with others. Children who are disrespectful in school can make it hard for everyone to learn. Help your child think about how it feels to be disrespected, and why it's important to avoid doing that to others. Then, have your elementary schooler practice polite ways to express feeling upset or angry. To improve interactions with friends, teach your child to wait for a turn to speak or act, and to share and be honest.

Thursday, August 22, 2024
Encourage writing with fun activities Encourage your child to write with activities that make writing fun. You might make a family cookbook and let your child name the recipes and write stories about times your family ate a particular dish. Or encourage your student to keep a journal of funny ideas, jokes and events. You can suggest making a photo album together and have your child write the captions. Or, each of you write down and share your dreams for your child's future.

Friday, August 23, 2024
What would your child like the teacher to know? Even children who are excited about the first day of school can be worried about it, too. One common worry is, "Will my teacher like me?" Ease these fears by writing a note introducing your child to the teacher. You can include all the things your child wants the teacher to know, like "Casey can count to 100." Read the note aloud to your child. Then, send it school to open the door to productive communication with the teacher.

Saturday, August 24, 2024
Labels help kids keep belongings straight To help your child learn to keep track of personal belongings at school, have your student label everything. Your child's first and last name can be written on with marker, or you can provide a pre-printed rubber stamp and have your child stamp it on clothes, gloves, notebooks, etc. This helps avoid confusion, and makes it more likely that items that go to school in the morning come home in the afternoon.

Sunday, August 25, 2024
To boost brainpower, help your child get moving Exercise helps your child stay healthy and alert in school. It can even boost mood and memory. But gym class at school can't provide all the exercise your child needs. Children learn by example, so to make physical fitness a part of your child's life, make it part of yours. Suggest doing activities your child enjoys, such as bike riding or soccer, together. Instead of flopping down on the couch after dinner, play a game of tag or go for a family walk.

Monday, August 12, 2024
Buckle up for better conversation Car time is perfect for talking one-on-one with your child. It's often more private, and no one can get up and leave. And when kids know parents will be looking at the road and not at them, they often share worries, fears, secrets and dreams. To turn car time into conversation time, ask your child, "What have you been thinking about lately?" Listen and make it clear you care what your child thinks.  

Tuesday, August 13, 2024
Ask specific questions about school Talking about school is an important way to show your child that education matters. But if your child's usual answer to "How was school today?" is "Fine" or a grunt, get more specific. Ask your elementary schooler to tell you about something good that happened. Ask about how your child handled a challenge. Find out what your student is reading in class. Ask about classmates. Share something about your own day, too.

Wednesday, August 14, 2024
Create a student-friendly home One of the most effective ways to support learning is also one of the easiest: Make your home student friendly. Start by encouraging your child to make organization a priority. Show that you care about what your elementary schooler is learning by establishing a regular study routine. Model a relaxed attitude about the return to school, and reach out to the teacher if your child is struggling

Thursday, August 15, 2024
Help your child relate to history with a time line Many elementary schoolers think that George Washington, Abraham Lincoln and Cleopatra all lived in the same time period: the olden days before the children were born! To help your child get a better grasp of history, create a time line together. Unroll some shelf paper. Write important dates from your child's life at the right end (modern history). Then help your child add historical dates in the appropriate places to the left.

Friday, August 16, 2024
Are you an 'askable' adult? Children are full of questions…and they will look for answers to all of them. Being an "askable" adult helps ensure that you will be your child's primary source for information and values. Tell your child you welcome questions and want to answer them. Don't avoid sensitive or embarrassing topics. Treat them seriously, and respond with words and actions that say, "I'm so glad you asked!"

Saturday, August 17, 2024 
Show that education matters at home To show how important your child's education is to you, reinforce the idea that you and the teachers are on the same team: your child's. Explain that the things your elementary schooler learns at school matter at home, too. Then, make school attendance a top priority. Expect your child to complete assignments, and set aside at least 20 minutes a day for the whole family to pursue pleasure reading.

Sunday, August 18, 2024 
Experiment with science at home The kitchen is a great place for science experiments. Here are two activities to try with your child: 1. Mix oil and water and watch as they separate. 2. Gently drop an egg into a jar of water. It sinks. Next, slowly add salt to the water. The egg floats! After observing the experiments, ask why your child thinks you got the results you did. Talk about ways to find answers, such as looking online.