Posted on: Thursday, October 27, 2005
Parents can help accustom child to report cards
Advertiser Staff
Parents may have anxieties when their child starts school, and are excited to learn how he is doing in school and support his learning.
When your child receives her first report card and is graded on her school performance for the first time, it's a good opportunity to learn about her strengths, identify areas she may need help with and open up communication with her teacher.
The National Association for the Education of Young Children offers suggestions for parents to prepare for this benchmark in school.
COMMUNICATE
Take time to communicate with your child and the teacher about what is going on in class. When you know how your child is doing in school, report cards will be less of a surprise.
Talk with your child each day about class assignments and what she learned.
Communicate with the teacher regularly. This can easily be done by phone or e-mail.
Offer praise and encouragement. This will help with your child's confidence and motivation in his school work.
EXPLAIN
Know when report cards come out and prepare with your child. Remember that she may not be aware of what report cards are or why she is getting one.
Discuss what the report card measures and what the grades or comments mean.
Before the report card comes, allow your child to tell you how he thinks he's doing in school.
Remember that this is only one measurement of your child's strengths and weaknesses in school.
Use the information to praise your child's strengths and work with her in the areas she needs to improve.
BE INVOLVED
Take an active role in your child's school year-round.
Attend parent-teacher conferences and other school-sponsored parent activities and get to know your child's teacher.
Check the school calendar for report card dates and school events.
If there are grades or policies you don't understand, ask the teacher.
INVEST
Invest time in your child's education in addition to his schoolwork.
Introduce your child to other educational experiences to foster her interest in learning.
Read to and with your child regularly.
Limit the amount of time your child watches television or plays video and computer games.
Establish a family routine for homework and studying, as well as eating meals and doing chores.
Use these tips to be prepared each time report cards come out, and throughout the year to track your child's progress and get him any help he needs.
