Children Need Education: Tips for Helping Your Child

Helping with Your Child's Educational Process

Getting Ready for School

When your child is first entering preschool, kindergarten or elementary school, there are techniques you can use at home to help him or her to be prepared and confident. Many children may experience anxiety and fear when starting school, entering a new school or moving up to a new grade. Talk to your child extensively about what he or she can expect and what will be expected of him or her.

The Internet can offer a wealth of information about readying your child for school. For example, there are a number of resources provided by the U.S. Department of Education that may help you and your child, such as the Helping Your Child series. This series of free, downloadable and printable PDF files covers a range of child education topics, including helping preschool kids, reading, early adolescence, history, math, science and generally helping kids become successful students.

Following the Learning Standards of Your State

Depending on the state you live in and where your child goes to school, there's a fair chance that the learning curriculum is based on the Common Core State Standards in math and English/language arts. Get in touch with your child's teachers, school administrators or counselors to find out more about the curriculum. Knowing the school's standards and curriculum can be beneficial because it helps you monitor your child's progress.

Helping with Schoolwork and Homework

Although your child will complete many assignments at school, there are methods you can use at home to make the workload more manageable. Stay in close communication with your child's teachers so that you know how he or she is doing. When your child gets home each day, make it a habit to look over any worksheets, projects, tests or quizzes that have been handed back by a teacher. While complimenting your child on the successes, focus at-home lessons on areas where he or she needs the most assistance.

To help your child with homework, create a dedicated, uncluttered study space that's free of distractions, such as the Internet and television. Avoid doing your child's homework for him or her. Only step in when it's necessary. When you do help out, guide your child through problems and make sure that he or she is able to do a similar problem on his or her own.