The 10 Best Ways to Help Your 5th-Grader Succeed in School

The 10 Best Ways to Help Your 5th-Grader Succeed in School
                         By Ann E. LaForge (Parents Magazine)

1. Encourage reading in any way you can -

• There is no way to overestimate the importance of reading.   
• Keep reading aloud to your child (to strengthen his vocabulary, comprehension, and listening skills, as well as his enjoyment of reading).

2. Treat your child as though he's an author

•  Let your child see you write — and correct your own mistakes; ask him his opinion on something you've written (i.e., "Is this note to the teacher clear?").
• Show pride in what your child writes by displaying her stories for visitors and other family members to enjoy, or having her read them aloud.
•  Read together, and talk about the books and authors you both love.

3. Make math part of her everyday life

• Play with numbers, and to frequently point out the various ways in which math makes our lives easier.

4. Teach your child how to listen

• Read aloud to your child on a regular basis —  Ask questions as you read, to make sure your child is understanding what she hears.
•  Make sure the time your child spends in front of a screen is balanced by time spent with other people, talking face to face.
• When giving directions, ask your child to repeat back to you what she heard you say — to make sure she really did hear, and does understand what she needs to do.

5. Support your child's teacher and the school rules

• Your child be more motivated to work hard and succeed if she thinks you think that what she's doing is worthwhile.

6. Tell the teacher everything that's happening at home that might affect how your child behaves in school.

• How your child feels about school?
• What your child's special passions?
• What your child's special needs are: anything from allergies to phobias, physical or medical conditions, learning problems or preferences, special talents, emotional concerns, and behavioral patterns.

7. Make sure your child is ready for school -Your child should...

• Go to bed at a reasonable hour. Children who regularly go to bed later on school nights have a hard time keeping up in school, teachers say. A good night's sleep is the best guarantee of a pleasant and productive day at school.
• Eat a filling and nutritious breakfast.
• Put homework in her backpack, to bring to school. Fifth graders may be able to do this on their own, but it never hurts to ask, "Got your homework?" before your child slips out the door.
• Know exactly who will pick her up and what will happen when the school day ends. If you anticipate any change in the daily routine, or in the person greeting your child after school, make sure you give plenty of notice.
• Get to school on time — every day. Chronic lateness is not only disruptive to the entire class, it can make a child feel out-of-step all day.

8. Spend time in your child's classroom

• All children get a real thrill when they see their parent in their classroom. It sends a powerful message that you care about your child, and about her education.

9. Encourage responsibility and independence

• Whenever possible, let your child do things for himself — and for others.
• Develop a homework routine.
• Unpack his own backpack. Teach him that as soon as he gets home from school, he should unpack his backpack, put his homework materials in his homework place, and hand you (or put in a special place) any newsletters, notes from the teacher, papers to sign, or special work he's brought home.

10. Ask your child about school every day

• Ask specific questions.
• Read everything the teacher sends home.